Belgian U-21s named in DR Congo squad

Mario Stroeykens of RSC Anderlecht (L) in action. EPA/Stephanie Lecocq

Monday Nov 03, 2025. 13:15

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) head coach Sébastien Desabre has named three Belgian U-21 internationals in his 25-man squad for the nation’s upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off in Morocco in November.

DR Congo face Cameroon on Thursday 13 November with the winner facing either Nigeria or Gabon on Sunday 16 November for a spot in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament in March 2026 to compete for one of two final places at the World Cup.

The Belgian U-21s recruited are attacking midfielder Mario Stroeykens, who has already captained Anderlecht at his young age, winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who has two Europa League appearances for Celtic this season, and goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo from Standard Liège, who was on the bench for Belgium’s EURO U-21 qualifiers in October.

The Leopards will have to do without striker Yoane Wissa, who completed a move from Brentford to Newcastle United in September. The 29-year-old is yet to appear for his new club and missed out on DR Congo’s last two group-stage qualifiers in October after suffering a Posterior Cruciate Ligament injury against Senegal on 9 September.

Dimitri Bertaud, Dylan Batubinsika, Grady Diangana, Jackson Muleka and Afimico Pululu have all been left out by Desabre after being included in the Leopards’ squad in October.

DR Congo Squad:

Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege, 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 (Olympique de Marseille, France), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley, England), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United, England)

Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Michel-Ange Balikwisha (Glasgow 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).

By Nic Gleeson