By Dayo Awoniyi
The Democratic Republic of Congo have unveiled a strong 25-man squad for their crucial CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff against Cameroon, scheduled for November 13 in Rabat, Morocco.
Head coach Sébastien Desabre has assembled a well-balanced team that combines experience with youthful flair as the Leopards seek to take a decisive step toward World Cup qualification.
Among the standout names are Aaron Wan-Bissaka of West Ham United, defensive mainstay Chancel Mbemba of Lille, dynamic forward Théo Bongonda from Spartak Moscow, and veteran striker Cédric Bakambu, currently with Real Betis.
In midfield, Desabre has opted for a mix of energy and creativity, calling up Samuel Moutoussamy, Charles Pickel, Michaël Balikwisha, and Edo Kayembe, all known for their versatility and composure in possession.
Notably, Fiston Mayele of Pyramids FC is the only Africa-based player in the squad, a testament to his consistency and growing influence in DR Congo’s attack.
With both nations eyeing progression to the next phase, the high-stakes encounter in Rabat promises to be a fierce contest as DR Congo aim to outclass Cameroon and keep their World Cup dream alive.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
