Ed Dove has shared his insights on Morocco’s impressive 2-0 victory over Comoros in the opening match of AFCON 2025, underscoring the significance of this tournament for African football.
Beyond Morocco’s performance, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is looking to reclaim its historical status on the continent after decades of challenge. Once a dominant force in African football, the DRC enjoyed a golden era from 1967 to 1974, winning two AFCON titles and achieving notable milestones, such as becoming the first sub-Saharan team to reach the World Cup in 1974. However, their journey since has been riddled with struggles, including a lack of recent World Cup qualifications.
Under the guidance of French head coach Sebastien Desabre, the DRC is experiencing a revival, effectively leveraging the talent within its extensive diaspora across Europe. Desabre has managed to reconnect with this community, incorporating many dual-national players into the national squad, fostering a blend of local flair and European professionalism.
As a testament to this progress, the DRC reached the AFCON semifinals last year—a significant achievement as it marked their first appearance in the final four since 2015. With a FIFA ranking improvement from 72nd to 56th under Desabre’s leadership, optimism is high for the upcoming tournaments. “The DRC has enormous potential,” he remarked, emphasizing his belief that the team is on an upward trajectory.
Preparing for what may be the most critical year in Congolese football since 1974, the squad faces formidable opponents like Benin, Senegal, and Botswana in their Group D matches. Desabre is aware of the broader context surrounding the tournament, as the DRC faces ongoing civil strife and violence in the eastern regions of the country. He has expressed a strong commitment to using the national team as a beacon of hope and resilience for all Congolese people during this challenging time.
The Leopards kick off their campaign against Benin on December 23, looking to not only restore glory to their cherished footballing heritage but also to unite and uplift their country amid adversity.