AFCON 2024: Africa awaits `The Leopards' of DR Congo's return to glory days

Posted : 10 January 2024

As the 34th African Cup of Nations (AFCON) begins in Cote D'Ivoire this weekend, old and new glory-seeking teams alike will converge to outwit each other.

One of the veteran teams in the AFCON tournament is the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo, two-time winners of the prestigious tournament in its heyday, despite their previous struggles and a long-standing drought in the continental tournament.

The Leopards of DR Congo have made 19 previous appearances in the Africa Cup of Nations finals, claiming the title twice in 1968 and 1974.

After winning the 1974 African Cup of Nations and participating in the 1974 World Cup, the team was eliminated in the first round of the 1976 African Cup of Nations after recording a draw and two losses in the group stage, with Morocco ultimately winning the tournament.

From 1978 to 1986, the country did not qualify for the African Cup of Nations, and they also did not participate in the qualification for the 1978 World Cup and 1986 World Cup. In the 1988 African Cup of Nations, Zaire finished last in their group despite two draws.

From 1992 to 1996, Zaire reached three consecutive African Cup of Nations quarter-finals. In 1992 and 1994, they were beaten by Nigeria, and in 1996, they were beaten by Ghana. In 1997, the country returned to its former name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the national team was re-branded as the Simbas, a nickname that stuck for the next nine years. DR Congo played their first game on 8 June 1997 in Pointe-Noire, which ended in a 1–0 loss to the Republic of the Congo.

At the 1998 African Cup of Nations, DR Congo, led by Louis Watunda, surprisingly took third place, beating Cameroon in the quarter-finals and hosts Burkina Faso 4–1 on penalties in their last match after scoring three late goals to tie the encounter 4–4.

In the 2000 African Cup of Nations, the team finished third in their group, and in 2002, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Senegal.

In 2004, DR Congo were eliminated after three straight defeats in the group stages. In 2006, led by Claude Le Roy, having finished second in the group behind Cameroon, the Congolese were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Egypt 4–1.

DR Congo were drawn in Group 10 for qualifications for the 2008 African Cup of Nations, along with Libya, Namibia, and Ethiopia. Before the last matchday, the Congolese led the group, but they drew 1–1 with Libya in their final match, while Namibia beat Ethiopia 3–2. This sent Namibia through to the finals, while the Leopards were eliminated. DR Congo also failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

In 2009, DR Congo won the 2009 African Championship of Nations, a competition reserved for players in domestic leagues, a tournament they would again win in 2016. The Leopards also reached the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa but were knocked out in the group stages after drawing all three matches.

Despite not winning any silverware since the last AFCON gold 50 years ago, the Leopards tried to reignite their old form and came close in 2015 when they finished third in the AFCON.

After claiming a bronze medal in 2015, the Leopards returned to their downward spiral until recently when they emerged with relatively above-average performances.

En route to AFCON 2024, the Leopards topped their Group I of the AFCON 2024 qualifiers, which had Mauritania, Sudan, and Gabon.

The Leopards finished the qualifying campaign with 12 points, while Mauritania also secured qualification as runners-up of the group with 10 points.

Coach Sebastien Desabre had to endure a difficult start to the qualifications as his side lost their first two matches but recovered superbly to win each of their next four games to book their place in Ivory Coast.

Now, Desabre's side is not among the favorites for the tournament but are certainly outsiders and can spring a surprise. Morocco is the undisputed heavyweights of Group F and is primed to top the group, but second place is firmly within reach for DR Congo when you compare their quality to Zambia and Tanzania.

It is instructive to note that Desabre, since his appointment, has managed 10 matches, leading the team to an impressive five wins. He also led the Congolese national team to qualify for AFCON 2023 and previously stated that he was ready to deal with the pressure that came with the job.

"Of course, you have pressure when you are the Congo coach. There are a lot of expectations for results. We focus on having a good organization of the game, on having a game plan that allows us to be good on the pitch, to be able to win matches," Desabre said. "Afterwards, we do everything we have in our power and with our heart and with our investment, you have seen it. I am not alone because I have a staff around me, who are also quality. So, we try to put the players in the best position to achieve results."

The player to watch among the Leopards of DR Congo is the Pyramid of Egypt sensation, Fiston Mayele, who is capable of scoring goals when least expected.

During this 34th edition, more responsibilities will be placed on the shoulders of Mayele while DR Congo will be counting on his brilliance when the hostilities start in Group E.

The 29-year-old striker is the team’s best source of goals, having been a key figure in the qualifiers.

Mayele scored seven goals for Young Africans as they reached the final of the CAF Confederations Cup last season. Currently on the books of the Egyptian side Pyramids, the forward is coming into the tournament as DR Congo’s player to watch.

Despite making his international debut at 28, Mayele has grabbed the opportunity with both hands with two goals in eight caps, and he will play an important part in the Leopards’ AFCON campaign.

In preparations towards AFCON 2024, DR Congo, like Nigeria and Guinea, pitched their camp in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Leopards' Coach, Sebastien Desabre, recently released his final squad, which includes; Goalkeepers Dimitri Bertaud (Montpellier), Lionel Mpasi (Rodez), Baggio Siadi (TP Mazembe) Defenders Dylan Batubinsika (Saint Etienne), Brian Bayeye (Ascoli), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernians), Henock Inonga (Simba), Gedeon Kalulu (Lorient), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Besiktas), Chancel Mbemba (Marseille) Midfielders Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Grady Diangana (West Bromwich Albion), Gael Kakuta (Amiens), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Samuel Moutousamy (Nantes), Charles Pickel (Cremonese), Aaron Tshibola (Al Hatta) Forwards Simon Banza (Sporting Braga), Cedric Bakambu (Galatasaray), Meschack Elia (Young Boys Berne), Silas Katompa (VfB Stuttgart), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Brentford).

AFCON 2024: Africa awaits `The Leopards' of DR Congo's return to glory days

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