DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre has disclosed that the team’s involvement in the 2026 World Cup playoffs have prepared the Leopards for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Recall that DR Congo defeated the Super Eagles and Indomitable Lions of Cameroon to win the Africa playoffs slot and advance to the Intercontinental playoffs in March.
However, with DR Congo set to face Benin, Senegal, and Botswana in group D of the AFCON, Sébastien, in a chat with Cafonline, stated that the Leopards appear more like a team “to beat” at the tournament.
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“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.”
