AFCON 2025: Great expectations of DRC supporters

Expectations are very high among the Congolese supporters regarding AFCON 2025. The Leopards fans place their national team among the favorites of the competition. Indeed, semi-finalist of the last edition, the DRC national team will be highly anticipated in Morocco.  

For Héritier, one of the Congolese supporters we approached in Kinshasa, any result other than at least a final would be a counter-performance for the Leopards. 

 « I am sure that we will go far in this edition. Our team plays well and above all is now respected at the African level. Let it be said, after finishing 4th at the last edition, it is imperative to reach the final this year. Any other result than a final or a title will be a counter-performance for the DRC," 

he said.

From the Leopards in confidence
‎The Congolese players arrived in Morocco on Thursday evening with a mind at the zenith.  The Leopards remain on a series of 5 victories, including 2 in the 9th and 10th days of the 2026 World Cup qualifying phase, against Togo (1-0) and against Sudan (1-0) and especially two beautiful victories in the African playoffs of the 2026 World Cup against two great African football countries, namely Cameroon (1-0) and Nigeria (1-1, 4 Tab 3) as well as a final friendly victory against Zambia (2-0)  during their last internship in Spain, just before arriving in Rabat.  

This form of the team since the defeat (2-3) at home against Senegal during the 8th day of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup reassures the Congolese public, indicates the sports analyst Richard Kadima.

 «We feel that the team has regained confidence after this defeat against Senegal. She made the players see the danger they would run if they continued to play as they did. There, we feel that the team has regained a soul and cohesion that make the game better. At this pace, there is something to hope for better than a semi-final in Morocco."

 he confided. 


‎The DRC goes to Moroccan with a workforce of which almost half will have their first experience at the AFCON. Indeed, of the 28 players selected, 11 will be at their first competition. They include keepers Matthieu Epolo and Timothy Fayulu, defenders Aaron Wan Bissaka, Steve Kapuadi and Axel Tuanzebe, midfielders Michelange Balikwisha, Nathanaël Mbuku, Ngal'ayel Mukawu and Noah Sadiki and attackers Bryan Cipenga, Samuel essende. 
‎
DRC will enter the competition on December 23 (12:30 GMT) against Benin before facing Senegal on December 27 (15:00 GMT) and will finish the group stage against Botswana on December 30 (19:00 GMT).