DR Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre has taken an early step ahead of the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, unveiling his definitive 27-man squad well before CAF’s submission deadline. The Frenchman has opted for stability, sticking closely to the core that navigated the Leopards through a demanding qualification campaign, though the list comes with one painful exclusion.
Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa misses out after suffering an unfortunate injury at club level, leaving Desabre without one of his most dynamic attacking pieces. Wissa’s absence is the only major shake-up to an otherwise familiar and experienced group.
Captain Chancel Mbemba anchors a squad that blends hardened internationals with rising talents across Europe. The defensive unit features Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, and Arthur Masuaku, while the midfield is reinforced by the industrious trio of Samuel Moutoussamy, Charles Pickel, and Edo Kayembe.
Up front, Desabre retains his trusted attacking options, Cédric Bakambu, Fiston Mayele, Simon Banza, and Meschak Elia, who will shoulder the goal-scoring responsibilities in Morocco.
The Leopards head into AFCON in impressive form, having recently clinched a place in the FIFA Intercontinental World Cup playoff ahead of continental heavyweights Nigeria and Cameroon. DR Congo is placed in Group D, where they will battle Benin, Botswana, and Senegal for a spot in the knockout rounds.
📋 𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄
🌟 26 Léopards 🐆 sélectionnés par le sélectionneur-manager Sébastien Desabre 🇨🇩 pour la phase finale de la Coupe d’Afrique des Nations, Maroc 2025 🇲🇦.#FecofaRDC #AllezLesLéopards #TotalEnergiesAfcon2025 #CAN2025 pic.twitter.com/6zTbMaIAjb
— Fecofa RDC_Officiel (@FecofaRdc) December 1, 2025
DR Congo Final Squad 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 (Espanyol, 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, UAE)
Fiston Mayele (Pyramids, Egypt)
Samuel Essende (Augsburg, Germany)
Meschak Elia (Alanyaspor, Türkiye)
Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis, Spain)
