The manager-selector of the DRC, the Frenchman Sébastien Desabre is called upon to plug the gaps, be sharp, by making a very good casting of players to put on the field, by putting a playing system which is suitable for his second participation in the biggest sporting event on the black continent does not leave a taste of unfinished business. This, after his first African Cup of Nations (Can) at least successful in Egypt 2019 with the Skulls of Uganda and especially after two half-hearted friendly matches during the 10-day training camp in the Emirates United Arabs respectively against Angola (0-0) and Burkina-Faso (2-1).
A bladed weapon not only to brandish in front of all one’s adversaries but also and above all to make more acute so as not to make Pierre de Coubertin, the renovator of the Olympic Games, namely: “The essential thing is to participate”.
And even if this presence at the Ivorian Can is a bonus especially since in Desabre’s contract, it was about the Can Morocco 2025 and the United States of America, Canada and Mexico 2026 World Cup.
The French coach is not new to the Can festival. He has a clear idea of what this continental competition represents. Especially since the learning was effective five years ago with Uganda in the land of the Pharaohs, with a respectable elimination against the future vice-champion of the tournament, Senegal of Sadio Mané.
The Congolese remember the defeat against neighbors Uganda, 2-0 during the group stage. A misstep which had difficulty getting across in the opinion of this country-continent.
After turning the tide during the qualifiers for the Can Côte d’Ivoire 2023, where the DRC started in the worst way, with two losses in a row against Guelor Kanga’s Gabon, at the Martyrs de la Pentecost stadium, 0-1 and away against Sudan, 2-1, Sébastien Desabre, was the providential man to put the pieces together or even get back on track.
4 points against Mauritania in two outings, 3-1 in Lubumbashi and 1-1 in Nouakchott; a revenge against Gabon, 0-2 in Franceville and a victory, 2-0 to finish in style against Sudan in the former Kamanyola filled like an egg, even breaking the rules on the gauge imposed by the African Football Confederation (Caf).
At the end, a first place in group D with 12 points against the backdrop of a match won by forfeit against Mauritania, “The end justifies the means” they say.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT OF FOOTBALL LOVERS AND NIOSOLOGISTS
The boss of the technical staff will also have a lot to do in this country of football lovers where there are a host of football specialists in the literal and figurative sense, better “niosologists” understand those who are reputed to know everything and in the entire field .
This is the case in the Congolese Discussion Federations (Fecodi) at the level of different neighborhoods, football fields, refreshments without forgetting social networks where excuses and justifications have difficulty getting through like a knife through butter. Questioning of certain rankings, the alignment of such players in place of the other, the background of the game, scrutinizing the final results.
The ideal for “Tatu” Desabre in the country of Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi is to find the right recipe to first pass the first round, then the stage of the 8th finals.
Playing the quarter-finals will bode well for him in this continental event where the DRC is not among the favorites like the defending champion, Senegal, Egypt (vice-champion and record holder of trophies either 7), Morocco, semi-finalist of the Qatari World Cup, Ivory Coast, host country.
BEAT ZAMBIA TO START WELL
The DRC, double winner in 1968 and 1974, is participating in the Can for the 20th time. The country of leopards is housed in group F with Zambia, Morocco and Tanzania.
The Congolese’s first match will take place on Wednesday January 17 at 9 p.m. in Kinshasa against the Chipolopolos of Zambia, winner of the competition in 2012.
The best is to start with a victory otherwise avoid a defeat from the start because on the second day, the formidable Morocco will stand in the way.
The last time that Congo was present at the Can dates back to 2019 when it was landed by Madagascar in the round of 16 on penalties (4-2) after 2-2 in regulation time and overtime.
“An informed Desabre sharpens his sabre”.
Nesta Stones