Kinshasa, September 17th, 2026 (CPA). – The Congolese Football Association (Fecofa), in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), announced on Thursday that a press conference would be held on Friday at its headquarters by the manager of the Leopards national football team, Sébastien Desabre, according to the Facebook page of the national football governing body.
“The head coach of the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will address the media this Friday, September 18th, 2026, in the meeting room of the Congolese Football Association (Fecofa),” have read. According to a source consulted by the CPA on Thursday, the latest news regarding the Leopards’ national team and preparations for upcoming fixtures will be the focus of this meeting this Friday in the Gombe district, north of Kinshasa, the country’s capital.
This hot topic essentially relates to the Leopards’ upcoming training camp this September, notably for their two matches on the first and second matchdays of Group E in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to take place from June 19th to July 17th simultaneously in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, respectively against Equatorial Guinea on Thursday, September 24th, at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa. Next, away in Harare against the Zimbabwe Warriors on Monday, September 28th.
The double-header against Uganda
In addition to this start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Sébastien Desabre cannot fail to mention DRC Leopards’ two friendly warm-up matches against the Uganda Cranes on October 2nd and 5th, 2026, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Thus, for these aforementioned matches, the demands of the current situation mean that Sébastien Desabre will need to set aside a double slot in his diary.
Among other things, he will discuss the new dual nationals he has just brought into the Leopards’ squad, whilst also mentioning others such as Senny Mayulu of PSG in France, who was eagerly anticipated but is absent from the squad list.
A comprehensive review of the 2026 World Cup
The other key topic of this press conference will provide the ideal opportunity for the French coach, Sébastien Desabre, to give a ‘comprehensive review’ of the DRC’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, highlighting key moments such as: the DRC’s qualification for the second round, their honourable elimination by England (1–2), not to mention the three Group K matches against Portugal (1–1), Colombia (0–1) and Uzbekistan (3–1).
Perhaps this press conference will provide Desabre with an opportunity to share anecdotes gathered here and there during this World Cup campaign in the US. For example, Desabre may reveal to the public what effect the presence of the Head of State, Félix Tshisekedi, at the DRC v Portugal match featuring Cristiano Ronaldo had on the Leopards.
In short, this press conference will provide the national team manager with a wealth of ground to cover.