Wissa misses DR Congo AFCON squad

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Dec 02, 2025. 11:00

The Congolese Association Football Federation has announced its final squad to represent the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) at the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

DR Congo has been drawn in group C at the continental showpiece, which takes place from 21 December to 18 January, and will face Benin, Botswana and Senegal in the group stage.

Goalkeeper Mathieu Epolo, who was on the bench for Belgium’s EURO U-21 qualifiers in October, has been selected alongside former Belgian youth international teammate Mario Stroeykens. Both players switched from representing Belgium to DR Congo in November and are receiving their second call-ups.

The Leopards will be without Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa, who has not recovered from an injury picked up in the September international break. He is yet to feature for his new club since leaving Bournemouth during the summer transfer window.

While Wissa missed out, Premier League stars Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe and Noah Sadiki were all included.

Fiston Mayele, winner of the CAF Interclub Player of the Year award, is the only African-based player included in the squad, with the majority of those selected plying their trade in Europe.

The Leopards enter the tournament after a good run of form which saw them win the African play-offs of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, besting Cameroon and Nigeria to secure a place in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament. The nation sits one win away from World Cup qualification for the first time since 1974 but will have to wait until March to confirm its place.

The country is prepared to continue its rich history of participation at AFCON, having featured in 20 previous editions and being crowned champions in 1968 and 1974.

More recently, the Leopards finished fourth in the last edition and will be looking to go a step further in Morocco.

By Nic Gleeson

DR Congo AFCON squad:

Goalkeepers

Theo Fayulu (FC Noah, Armenia)

Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre, France)

Mathieu Epolo (Standard Liège, Belgium)

Defenders

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham, England)

Gédéon Kalulu (Aris Limassol, Cyprus)

Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland, England)

Chancel Mbemba (Lille, France)

Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley, England)

Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian, Scotland)

Joris Kayembe (Genk, Belgium)

Steven Kapuadi (Legia Warsaw, Poland)

Midfielders

Noah Sadiki (Sunderland, England)

Edo Kayembe (Watford, England)

Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos, Greece)

Charles Pickel (Espagnyol , Spain)

Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille, France)

Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht, Belgium)

Théo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow)

Michelangelo Balikwisha (Celtic, Scotland)

Nathanaël Mbuku (Montpellier, France)

Brian Cipenga (Castellón, Spain)

Attackers

Simon Banza (Al Jazeera, United Arab Emirates)

Fiston Mayele (Pyramids, Egypt)

Samuel Essende (Augsburg, Germany)

Meschak Elia (Alanyaspor, Türkiye)

Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis, Spain)