Team Captain: Youssuf Mulumbu dribbling the ball (in photo)
FIFA Rank: 57
Coach: Florent Ibenge
Captain: Youssuf Mulumbu
Nickname: The Leopards
Best AFCON finish: Winners (1968 and 1974)
AFCON 2013 finish: Group Stage
AFCON PEDIGREE:
DR Congo had their most successful period in late 1960s and early 1970s. They won the Cup of nations in 1968 in Ethiopia and 1974 in Egypt. While the country was known as Zaire they became the first Sub-Saharan African team to participate in the FIFA World Cup in West Germany in 1974.
The tournament was not a success for them, as they finished bottom of their group with no goals and no points, but they did manage to equal the record for most goals conceded, when Yugoslavia put nine past them.
After their adventures at the World Cup the country's football team went into a decline. They either did not qualify or withdrew from the tournament until 1988. They then reached the Quarter Finals in ‘92, ‘94 and ‘96 and managed to come third in 1998, their best finish since winning the competition in the ‘70s.
FIFA Rank: 57
Coach: Florent Ibenge
Captain: Youssuf Mulumbu
Nickname: The Leopards
Best AFCON finish: Winners (1968 and 1974)
AFCON 2013 finish: Group Stage
AFCON PEDIGREE:
DR Congo had their most successful period in late 1960s and early 1970s. They won the Cup of nations in 1968 in Ethiopia and 1974 in Egypt. While the country was known as Zaire they became the first Sub-Saharan African team to participate in the FIFA World Cup in West Germany in 1974.
The tournament was not a success for them, as they finished bottom of their group with no goals and no points, but they did manage to equal the record for most goals conceded, when Yugoslavia put nine past them.
After their adventures at the World Cup the country's football team went into a decline. They either did not qualify or withdrew from the tournament until 1988. They then reached the Quarter Finals in ‘92, ‘94 and ‘96 and managed to come third in 1998, their best finish since winning the competition in the ‘70s.
SQUAD OVERVIEW:
DR Congo's squad features mostly Europe-based players, with a decent-sized contingent from the local leagues as well.
West Brom's Youssouf Mulumbu and Werder Bremen's Cedric Makiadi would make a formidable pairing in the centre of midfield for The Leopards, and could be joined by Belgium-based duo Neeskens Kebano and Herve Kage.
Up front, they can look to Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie for an attacking threat, and he will hope to combine with Dynamo Kiev striker Dieumerci Mbokani and Osasuna winger Cedrick Mabwati.
FULL SQUAD:
Goalkeeepers: Robert Kidiaba (TP Mazembe), Nicaise Kudimana (Anderlecht), Parfait Mandanda (Charleroi)
Defenders: Kimwaki Joel (TP Mazembe), Issama Mpeko (kabuscorp), Jean Kasusula TP Mazembe), Chancel Mbemba(Anderlecht), Oualembo Christopher (Academia coimbria), Zakuani Gabriel (Petersbourgh), Mongungu Cedric (Evian TG), Mabele Bawaka (AS Vita Club)
Midfielders: Herve Kage (Genk), Neeskens Kebano (Charleroi), Lema Mabidi (AS Vita Club), Cedric Makiadi (Werder Bremen), Jean Munganga (AS Vita Club), Youssouf Mulumbu (Westbromwich)
Forwards: Jeremy Bokila (Terek Grosny), Junior Kabananga( Cercles Burges), Bolasie Yannick ( Crystal Palace), Firmin Mubele (AS Vita Club), Mabwati Cedric ( Ossasuna), Dieumerci Mbokani (Dynamo Kiev)
DR Congo's squad features mostly Europe-based players, with a decent-sized contingent from the local leagues as well.
West Brom's Youssouf Mulumbu and Werder Bremen's Cedric Makiadi would make a formidable pairing in the centre of midfield for The Leopards, and could be joined by Belgium-based duo Neeskens Kebano and Herve Kage.
Up front, they can look to Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie for an attacking threat, and he will hope to combine with Dynamo Kiev striker Dieumerci Mbokani and Osasuna winger Cedrick Mabwati.
FULL SQUAD:
Goalkeeepers: Robert Kidiaba (TP Mazembe), Nicaise Kudimana (Anderlecht), Parfait Mandanda (Charleroi)
Defenders: Kimwaki Joel (TP Mazembe), Issama Mpeko (kabuscorp), Jean Kasusula TP Mazembe), Chancel Mbemba(Anderlecht), Oualembo Christopher (Academia coimbria), Zakuani Gabriel (Petersbourgh), Mongungu Cedric (Evian TG), Mabele Bawaka (AS Vita Club)
Midfielders: Herve Kage (Genk), Neeskens Kebano (Charleroi), Lema Mabidi (AS Vita Club), Cedric Makiadi (Werder Bremen), Jean Munganga (AS Vita Club), Youssouf Mulumbu (Westbromwich)
Forwards: Jeremy Bokila (Terek Grosny), Junior Kabananga( Cercles Burges), Bolasie Yannick ( Crystal Palace), Firmin Mubele (AS Vita Club), Mabwati Cedric ( Ossasuna), Dieumerci Mbokani (Dynamo Kiev)
By: Farai Diza
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