World Cup Prep: DR Congo share spoils with Denmark
Before its last preparation match for the 2026 World Cup against Chile on 9 June at 3:00 PM GMT in Marbella, the DRC faced Denmark on Wednesday. At the Stade de Sclessin in Liège, the Leopards finished the match with a draw but with some lessons.
Philemon MBALE · Author profile ·
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Against an opponent ranked higher than her, the RDC was expected to make a good impression. Against Denmark, Sébastien Desabre’s men were unapologetic, even if they sinned in the finish.
Interesting content compared to Denmark
Playing against Denmark is a real challenge for the Congolese team. Sébastien Desabre, the coach, chose this test match to see his players at work. At the end of the 90 minutes with a scoreless result, the Leopards were not ridiculous in the game, far from it. In the first 45 minutes, Chancel Mbemba and her partners looked the Danes in the eyes. They deployed and responded to the opposing team’s offensive assaults on all fronts. If they were able to contain the offensives with a strong defense embodied by the captain, they also shook the opposing defense with well-executed combinations.
A great performance that confirms the Leopards' good progress in recent months. The training sessions carried out since the start of the preparatory course have borne fruit. Some combinations in the game, a midfielder present, a strong defense... the Congolese selection delivered a fine copy in Liège ahead of Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Højlund and the others.
Lack of effectiveness in attack
That’s what the DR Congo did less well in the friendly match against Denmark. Despite the presence of Cédric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa in attack, the Leopards were silent. It’s not because they didn’t have any opportunities. In the game, the team got huge opportunities without shaking the opposing goal. Two offensive actions embody this lack of effectiveness of the Congolese.
Cédric Bakambu lost his duel in the 25th minute. Pitched deep by Yoane Wissa following a ball loss from the Danes, the Real Betis striker, alone against the goalkeeper, misses his head to head. Bis Repetita. In the 71st minute, Simon Banza, shooting deep, hit the ball to right it. But, the Danish goalkeeper took out the ball from the corner.
To surprise Portugal (17 June), Colombia (24 June) and beat Uzbekistan (27 June) in the K group of the 2026 World Cup, the Congolese attackers will have to be more realistic.