Howe confirms Yoane Wissa closing in on Newcastle United debut

Despite being left out of the DR Congo squad ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, manager Eddie Howe has confirmed striker Yoane Wissa is back in training and getting close to making his Newcastle United debut.

The 29-year-old, who joined Newcastle from Brentford during the summer window, has yet to make his debut after suffering a knee injury while on international duty in September.

Eddie Howe on Yoane Wissa:

“We’re getting closer. We did an 11v11 game, sort of for him, on Wednesday which was good and more minutes for him. Round about half an hour – he did well. So far he’s come through everything. We still have training today and we’ll make a decision as… pic.twitter.com/6DwsetnX8M

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 5, 2025

Last Monday, DR Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre unveiled his 26-player squad for the AFCON, leaving out Wissa, but reinforcing his commitment to stability and form as the Leopards prepare for one of the continent’s biggest football stages.

Speaking ahead of their home Premier League fixture against Burnley, Howe gave further updates on Wissa, saying he was in line to make his first start for the team.

‘Wissa looked good and come through everything’

“(He’s) getting closer. We did an 11 versus 11 game, sort of for him on Wednesday. That was good, more minutes for him. Around about half an hour, and he did well,” said Howe as quoted by Flashscore.

“We will see how he is today. He’s looked good and come through everything. I always say in these situations that we have more training today and we have to make a decision on whether he is ready to not just be fit, but be fit to make a difference and perform to his highest levels.”

The Leopards will kick off their group stage campaign on December 23 against Benin, before taking former African champions Senegal on December 27. Their final group fixture will be against Botswana on December 30.

DR Congo enter the AFCON with high momentum, having recently reached the intercontinental playoff in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, placing themselves within touching distance of a spot in the global finals hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Full list of players selected for AFCON 2025

Goalkeepers

• Theo Fayulu (FC Noah, Armenia)
• Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre, France)
• Mathieu Epolo (Standard Liège, Belgium)

Defenders
• Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham, England)
• Gédéon Kalulu (Aris Limassol, Cyprus)
• Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland, England)
• Chancel Mbemba (Lille, France)
• Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley, England)
• Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian, Scotland)
• Joris Kayembe (Genk, Belgium)
• Steven Kapuadi (Legia Warsaw, Poland)

Midfielders
• Noah Sadiki (Sunderland, England)
• Edo Kayembe (Watford, England)
• Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos, Greece)
• Charles Pickel (Espagnyol , Spain)
• Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille, France)
• Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht, Belgium)
• Théo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow)
• Michelangelo Balikwisha (Celtic, Scotland)
• Nathanaël Mbuku (Montpellier, France)
• Brian Cipenga (Castellón, Spain)

Attackers
• Simon Banza (Al Jazeera, United Arab Emirates)
• Fiston Mayele (Pyramids, Egypt)
• Samuel Essende (Augsburg, Germany)
• Meschak Elia (Alanyaspor, Türkiye)
• Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis, Spain)

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