AFCON 2025: Controversy over the absence of local players in the DRC

For the first time in several years, the DRC will play the AFCON without a single player playing in its local championship.  Indeed, on the list of 26 Leopards selected by Sébastien Desabre for the continental showpiece in  Morocco 2025, no name of the local players appears.  This situation created a lively controversy around the team, causing reactions from all segments of the population. 

Reagan, a supporter of leopards met in Kinshasa thinks that the coach should take at least one local player. 

" For years, the strength of our national team has been based on local players.  The two AFCONs and the two bronze medals we won were notably thanks to local players.  It is inconceivable that the coach leaves for this competition without even a local player,'

 he declared.

Not a surprise
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‎This absence of local players in the squad of the Leopards by Sébastien Desabre is really not a surprise.  Indeed, since his arrival, the French technician has only very rarely used local players in his team.  Already at the last edition, only Siadi Baggio, goalkeeper of TP Mazembe was a local player; and apart from him, only Oscar Kabwit, another Mazembe player had the chance to play a match with the selection under the current coach. 

Braudel Efonge, goalkeeper of Maniema Union, was called up to the selection during the AFCON 2025 qualifiers but did not play a single minute. This situation is also explained by the level of the Congolese championship which has deteriorated greatly, according to analyst Richard Kadima.  

"Today when we look at the Congolese championship, we realize that the level is very low and it’s difficult for the coach to come pick up players here compared to those he has selected,"

 he said.
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‎The former Congolese international, Matumona Zola, known as 'Roum' confirms Sébastien Desabre in his choice: 

«I agree with the coach. Our championship must return to the level it had a few decades ago, with a real professional structure and a good level on all levels. We don’t really have quality players like before at the national championship anymore," 

he said in an interview with Leopardsactu. 
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The DRC will make its debut in Morocco against Benin, on Tuesday, December 23 at 12:30 GMT, at the Al Barid stadium.