Newcastle boss addresses Yoane Wissa injury situation after DR Congo snub

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has discussed the injury progress on DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa moments after he was left out of the African side squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be held in Morocco.

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.

On 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.

The announcement placed DR Congo alongside South Africa—whose coach Hugo Broos released his list earlier—as teams making early moves ahead of the tournament, which begins in December. Those making the final list include Chancel Mbemba alongside Axel Tuanzebe, Noah Sadiki, Fiston Mayele, Meschak Elia and Cédric Bakambu.

‘I don’t want to put too much pressure on him’

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Newcastle versus Tottenham Premier League fixture St. James’ Park, Howe explained that Wissa has got more work to do to be able to start playing.

“He participated in an 11v11 training game while we were at Everton. I think he’ll have another one at some stage this week. And yeah, we’ll see how close he is,” Howe said as quoted by NUFC Blog.

“He’s working back, he’s doing well, everything’s positive but he will be back involved when we think he’s able to contribute to the group and has a minimal chance of re-injury.”

He added: “Whenever he comes back, I’m sure from his perspective and of course from our perspective, that first goal will be important.

“But I don’t want to put too much pressure on him. He’s still a little bit away from that, he’s got some more work to do, hopefully, he comes through that and then we can see him back on the pitch.”

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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