AFCON: Desabre reveals DR Congo ambition in Morocco

The Democratic Republic of Congo national team head coach Sébastien Desabre says they are determined to prove their performance in the previous Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was not a fluke when they participate in the 2025 edition in Morocco.

The Leopards will head into the 35th edition of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) tournament in the North African nation buoyed by the fact they had sealed a historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after beating Nigeria 4-3 on penalties.

In Morocco, DR Congo will face Senegal, Benin, and Botswana in Group B. Despite the tough opponents, coach Desabre is adamant the Leopards will not fear anyone and their priority is to get out of the group stage.

“AFCON groups are always tough. No matter the pots, you will face very strong teams. Senegal are among the best African nations—arguably the best at the moment,” Desabre told CAFOnline.com.

DR Congo excited to experience another AFCON

“Benin, a team I know well, has been building a solid development programme for several years and the progress is showing, especially under Gernot Rohr. Botswana are also difficult to play against; their recent results, including what they showed in Algeria during the qualifiers, prove that.

“We’re excited to experience another AFCON and to relive what we felt in Côte d’Ivoire. The key will be preparing well, especially for our first match against Benin. It may not decide qualification, but it sets the tone and affects confidence.”

Asked whether their African Playoff win against Nigeria will add pressure to the side, Desabre responded: “I don’t know if it adds pressure, but it was certainly a major moment for us. We faced two teams ranked higher than us—matches that could have passed for AFCON quarter-finals or semi-finals.

“It was extremely valuable preparation. We played in the same stadium where we will face Benin and stayed in the same hotel we will use during the AFCON. Those details matter.

“But every team is working hard—Senegal, Benin, Botswana. Perhaps these playoffs make us appear more like a team “to beat”, but that is mostly a media perception. No match at this level is easy.”

On what DR Congo want to achieve in Morocco, the 49-year-old Frenchman said: “The priority is to get out of the group stage. Once you reach the round of 16, the dynamic changes completely—it becomes knockout football.

“But we’re not projecting too far ahead. First the preparation, then the group stage. After that, anything can happen. No team—Morocco, Senegal, or anyone else—is guaranteed a semi-final or a title. The AFCON always brings surprises.

“Our ambition is clear: to confirm that what we achieved in Côte d’Ivoire was not exceptional but the foundation of something lasting.”

During the AFCON in Ivory Coast, DR Congo reached the semifinals.

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