From CPA special correspondent in Nairobi, Nana Kanku
Nairobi, August 17th, 2025 (CPA).-The coach of the Democratic Republic of Congo has assumed, On Sunday, the responsibility for the elimination of the Leopards A’ from the 8th edition of the African Nations Championship (Chan), at the post-match press conference following the 1-3 defeat to Morocco in the 4th match of Group A. ‘I am responsible for the result, I accept that. Perhaps I have picked the wrong line-up. There is a change that we should have made earlier, but we have delayed it. I have reprimanded my staff, it is a technical error,’ has declared Otis Ngoma, Coach of the Leopards. Beyond his initial choice of his starting eleven, Otis Ngoma has acknowledged certain mistakes in his management of the match. In particular, he has mentioned this late change, which he thinks could have been decisive in turning the match around. Unfortunately, it wasn’t made in time. Speaking on the positive side, the Congolese coach has praised his players’ commitment, while pointing out the lack of support and the high-level preparation: ‘We have our best players, but they are not well supported. This is a very high-level competition, and our boys have fallen with their weapons in their hands,’ he has explained. He has also highlighted the gap in preparation: ‘The 10 days of preparation have also affected us’. Responding to a question about his future at the helm of this team after two failed editions, Otis Ngoma, somewhat annoyed, did not mince his words: ‘I don’t owe you any explanations. I will give my accounts to the leaders and the community of my country, to whom I owe so much. You have no right to ask me that question; it is none of your business. » Otis Ngoma went on to explain that he would discuss with the Federation whether he should resign.