Bokadi blow for DR Congo ahead of qualifiers

Merveille Bokadi Bope of DR Congo

Sunday Sep 29, 2019. 11:00

DR Congo have been dealt a blow just ahead of the start of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with the news that defensive midfielder Merveille Bokadi is set to be missing for the next six months.

Bokadi ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee playing for Belgian side Standard Liege in a cup game on Thursday, and his worst fears have been confirmed.

Bokadi was named in DR Congo’s squad for October’s friendly internationals with Algeria and Ivory Coast, and would almost certainly have been part of the side that starts the Afcon qualifiers in November.

There will be a sense of déjà vu for the 23-year-old, who suffered a similar injury in 2017, just months after arriving at Standard from TP Mazembe in his homeland.

DR Congo face Gabon, Angola and the winner of the preliminary tie between Djibouti and Gambia in their Nations Cup qualification pool.