**DR Congo’s World Cup Exploits Encourage More Players to Join Their Cause**
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is experiencing a surge in interest from European-born football players following their impressive performance at the recent World Cup. Under the guidance of coach Sebastien Desabre, the national team is looking to expand its player pool after reaching the last-32 stage of the tournament held in North America.
The DR Congo team came close to a significant upset during the World Cup, being just 15 minutes away from defeating England in a thrilling match in Atlanta. This near victory has sparked enthusiasm and optimism within the team and among potential players of Congolese descent.
As part of their preparations for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the DR Congo squad has welcomed six new players from various European clubs. These additions include notable names such as Willy Kambwala, a former Manchester United centre back now playing for Italian club Como; Ezechiel Banzuzi from Leipzig; Stanis Idumbo of AS Monaco; Jordy Makengo from Freiburg; Noah Mbamba of Lorient; and Kevin Pedro from Saint-Etienne.
While these players have shown interest in representing DR Congo, some of them have previously played for other national teams at junior levels, which means they will require FIFA's approval to change their international eligibility. Banzuzi, Idumbo, Mbamba, and Pedro have all been capped at junior levels for their respective countries and have yet to receive the necessary approval from FIFA’s Change of Association Platform. Historically, DR Congo has included players in their squad without formal agreements, but Desabre is actively working to secure commitments from these athletes.
In a recent move, Banzuzi took to social media to announce his switch to the DR Congo national team, showcasing his commitment by posting a photo in a Congolese jersey. This gesture reflects the growing trend of players with Congolese heritage expressing their desire to represent their ancestral homeland.
Desabre is not only focused on the current squad but is also keen on building a formidable team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations finals scheduled for June 2024 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. To further this goal, the coach has arranged friendly matches against Uganda on October 2 and October 5, where he plans to invite additional players from European clubs. Among those invited are Ajax Amsterdam teenager Jorthy Mokio, who has previously represented Belgium at the under-21 level, and two England under-20 internationals, Paris Maghoma and Stephy Mavididi, both playing in the Championship.
Mokio has expressed his desire to play for DR Congo, but due to his participation in the Nations League for Belgium earlier this year, he must adhere to a three-year cooling-off period before he can officially switch allegiance. Players under the age of 21 with no more than three competitive caps at the senior level are eligible to change their national team affiliation, provided they meet the necessary criteria.
The upcoming friendlies against Uganda present a unique opportunity for Desabre to integrate these new players into the squad, even if their official debuts may be delayed. The non-competitive nature of these matches allows for a degree of flexibility in team selection and player development.
As DR Congo embarks on this new chapter, the combination of their recent World Cup success and the influx of talent from Europe could significantly enhance their prospects on the international stage. The team aims to build on their achievements and establish themselves as a competitive force in African football, with hopes of making a lasting impact in the upcoming tournaments.
With the enthusiasm surrounding the team and the commitment from both new and existing players, DR Congo is poised for an exciting future in international football.