U20 AFCON: DR Congo's ambition
DR Congo return to the U20 AFCON this year, aiming to better their 2013 group-stage exit
Sport News Africa · Author profile ·
Listen to this story
Audio version in preparation · read aloud by your browser meanwhile
Less than a month remains before the U20 AFCON, which takes place in Egypt from 26 April to 18 May. DR Congo are among the sides expected to take part in the continental tournament. The Leopards are back after a 12-year absence.
DR Congo's first aim will be to improve on their last appearance, in Algeria in 2013, when they went out at the group stage.
Now Central African champions, the Congolese can go a long way in this competition, according to sports analyst Richard Kazadi. "We have a good team, made up of good players. After 12 years, we need to restore the image of our youth football, and this team is capable of going very far," he said.
A tough group
DR Congo have been drawn in a tough Group A, alongside Ghana, Ivory Coast, Tanzania and the Central African Republic. It is a draw that cannot be considered favourable, said Régis Nsiabamfumu, team manager of the DR Congo side. "There is no such thing as a good draw at the top level; every team at this level is strong, well equipped and formidable. The technical staff will draw up strategies to get out of this group ", he said.
Senegal as a yardstick
To prepare, DR Congo spent a week in Senegal on a training camp, featuring two friendlies against the Senegal U20 side, the reigning African champions. The first match was lost 0-2 and the second ended in a 0-0 draw.
The choice of Senegal was not made by chance, said Congolese head coach Guy Bukasa. "The best way for us to prepare for the AFCON was to face Senegal, who are reigning champions at U17 and U20 level, to raise our standard. Today Senegal have pulled ahead of us and many other African countries at youth level. The objective has been met because we were able to see every player, which was important", he confided.
Several players in the DR Congo squad play in Ligue 1, such as Oscar Kabwit of TP Mazembe, Tony Talasi of AF Anges Verts and Ibrahim Matobo of FC Les Aigles du Congo. DR Congo will play their opening match on 26 April against the CAR.