DR Congo have been dealt a major setback ahead of their high-stakes FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off against Cameroon, with talismanic forward Yoane Wissa ruled out through injury.
The Brentford attacker has suffered a posterior cruciate ligament issue, sidelining him just a week after completing a £55 million move to the Premier League side on September 1.
Since making his international debut in October 2020, Wissa has become a central figure for the Leopards, netting eight goals in 35 appearances. His impact in the ongoing qualifiers has been vital, with key strikes against Mauritania, South Sudan, and Senegal helping DR Congo reach this decisive stage.
Despite the loss, head coach Sébastien Desabre has opted to maintain faith in the squad that impressed in October victories over Togo and Sudan. Veteran forward Cédric Bakambu will be expected to spearhead the attack in Wissa’s absence.
Desabre has also infused the team with youthful energy, notably handing a first senior call-up to Mario Stroeykens, the 21-year-old Anderlecht captain who has been in stellar form in the Belgian Pro League.
He joins two compatriots based in Belgium — Celtic winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Standard Liège goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo, the latter having previously featured for Belgium’s U21 side.
The Leopards will square off against Cameroon on November 13 at El Barid Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. The victor will move on to face either Gabon or Nigeria in the final play-off on November 17 — a crucial step toward earning a place on football’s biggest stage.
📋 𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄 🐆
25 Léopards sélectionnés par le sélectionneur-manager Sébastien Desabre 🇨🇩 pour affronter le Cameroun 🇨🇲, dans le cadre des barrages de la Coupe du Monde 2026 🏆.
📅 13 novembre 2025
🏟️ Stade El Barid – Rabat
🕖 19h GMT #RDC #RDCongo pic.twitter.com/rgpVoIMwJt— Compte Officiel de Léopards (@fecofa_kinshasa) October 31, 2025
DR Congo Squad List
Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liège, Belgium), Timothy Fayulu (Noah, Armenia), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre, France)
Defenders: Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian, Scotland), Gédéon Kalulu (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Steve Kapuadi (Legia Warsaw, Poland), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk, Belgium), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland, England), Chancel Mbemba (Marseille, France), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley, England), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United, England)
Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Michel-Ange Balikwisha (Celtic, Scotland), Edo Kayembe (Watford, England), Nathanaël Mbuku (Montpellier, France), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos, Greece), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille, France), Charles Pickel (Espanyol, Spain), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland, England), Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht, Belgium)
Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis, Spain), Samuel Essende (Augsburg, Germany), Brian Cipenga (Castellón, Spain), Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids, Egypt).
