Home SPORTS DR Congo Names Strong Squad for World Cup Qualifying Play-offs

DR Congo Names Strong Squad for World Cup Qualifying Play-offs

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Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Wan-Bissaka included in DR Congo's World Cup play-off squad

DR Congo names strong squad for World Cup qualifying play-offs, with coach Sebastien Desabre calling up talented players to face Cameroon on November 13th.


The team will face Cameroon on November 13th in the semi-final of the four-team play-off...


The Democratic Republic of Congo has announced a 25-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying play-offs in Morocco, with West Ham United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Sunderland's Arthur Masuaku, and Real Betis' Cedric Bakambu leading the charge.




Coach Sebastien Desabre's squad also features three Belgium U21 internationals, namely attacking midfielder Mario Stroeykens, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, and Standard Liege goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo. Other notable inclusions are midfielder Theo Bongonda from Spartak Moscow and defender Chancel Mbemba from Olympique de Marseille.




The team will face Cameroon on November 13th in the semi-final of the four-team play-off. The winner will meet either Gabon or Nigeria in the final four days later, with the winner of that match advancing to the inter-confederation play-off in Mexico next March.


Attacking midfielder Mario Stroeykens, winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha, and Standard Liege goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo are among the new additions to the squad. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Brian Cipenga retains his spot after impressing on his debut as a substitute in the win over Sudan on October 14, having joined the team as a late replacement due to injuries during the qualifiers.


The squad will also feature all players who took part in the October victories over Togo and Sudan, as the team prepares for the play-offs.


Injury Update and Absentees

DR Congo's inspirational star Yoane Wissa will miss the World Cup qualifying play-offs due to a posterior cruciate ligament injury sustained against Senegal in September. Other notable absentees include Dimitri Bertaud, Dylan Batubinsika, Grady Diangana, Jackson Muleka, and Afimico Pululu.



DR Congo's Path to the World Cup

Finishing just two points behind Senegal in Group B meant DR Congo missed out on automatic qualification. However, they still have a chance to reach their first-ever World Cup by competing in the four-team play-off in Rabat. Their semi-final match is against Cameroon on November 13th at the El Barid Stadium. The winner of this match will face either Gabon or Nigeria in the final four days later.


DR Congo full squad

Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege, Belgium), Timothy Fayulu (Noah, Armenia), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre, France)

Defenders: Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian, Scotland), Gédéon Kalulu (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Steve Kapuadi (Legia Warsaw, Poland), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk, Belgium), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland, England), Chancel Mbemba (Olympique de Marseille, France), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley, England), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United, England)

Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Michel-Ange Balikwisha (Glasgow Celtic, Scotland), Edo Kayembe (Watford, England), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier, France), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos, Greece), Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille, France), Charles Pickel (Espanyol, Spain), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland, England), Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht, Belgium)




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