AFCON 2023 - Desabre: "The lads are on a mission"

The appetite grows with the eating, and Sébastien Desabre is far from full. With DR Congo about to take on Guinea on Friday in the 2nd quarter-final of AFCON 2023, the Leopards coach is now aiming for a place in the semi-finals before he allows himself to dream of the title. But while he is not yet openly talking up a possible triumph in Ivory Coast, the French coach makes no secret of his ambition, or that of his team. "The team is very motivated. We know we can do more in this tournament, which for me is not the AFCON of surprises but of hard graft. Because all the teams have prepared for this competition. We want to perform at this AFCON and that is what is happening today. The lads are on a mission and we will not be giving up under any circumstances," he said at a press conference, setting the scene.

Read more on the subject: AFCON 2023 - DR Congo: Sébastien Desabre, the miracle worker

It is a warning Guinea will have to take seriously, even if he expects a tight contest against a Syli National side buoyed by their current momentum and their supporters. Desabre is also wary of the opposition, particularly the individual talents in their squad. "We are not going into this game as favourites because it is open. We will be up against a good side with players who play for good clubs," he said. "However, we will have a game plan that is built on our strengths and will adapt as the match goes on. But what is certain is that we want to get through this stage."

"We are going to play an attacking game"

To reach the last four of this AFCON 2023, full of twists and turns, Sébastien Desabre is counting this time on the efficiency of his attack. The Leopards' strikers have not quite been firing since the start of the tournament, and the Frenchman, who intends to play on the front foot, is looking to them to deliver. "Guinea are a very well-organised team in their system of play. Tomorrow we are going to play an attacking game with the aim of scoring one more goal than the opposition." That should be enough to satisfy all the Congolese supporters, even if some are pointing the finger at the system he has adopted at this AFCON. Not really a problem for him. "Systems of play are not what you see in the papers. They are constantly shifting patterns; you do not defend and attack in the same way," he said in his defence.

And while the Leopards had to go through extra time and a penalty shoot-out before getting past Egypt, Desabre was keen to reassure on the condition of his players. All of them will be ready for this fixture. "We will have no particular problem tomorrow, no more than the opposition in any case, we have recovered well." Enough to reassure the fans, who are on edge with impatience ahead of kick-off.