Wissa back for DR Congo’s Afcon qualifiers

Brentford striker Yoane Wissa returns to the Democratic Republic of Congo squad in one of only three changes for the final series of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, having already qualified for the finals in Morocco next year.

Coach Sébastien Desabre has called up 26 players for the matches against Guinea in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on 16 November and then at home in Kinshasa to Ethiopia three days later.

Wissa was injured for last month’s home-and-away wins over Tanzania which made sure of the Leopards' progress to the finals in Morocco next December.

Teenager Ngal'ayel Mukau from French top-flight club Lille was first called up in August for the opening round of qualifiers, but withdrew due to injury. He is back again for a possible first cap at the age of 19.

Irish-born Peter Kioso is selected from the start for the first time after he was a late call-up for the injured Axel Tuanzebe last month.

With a 100 per cent record after four games, six goals scored and none conceded, DR Congo are already guaranteed a top-two finish and should win group H, with a six-point lead over second-placed Guinea.

SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Dimitry Bertaud (Montpellier, France), Timothy Fayulu (Sion, Switzerland), Lionel Mpasi (Rodez, France)

Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (St Etienne, France), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian, Scotland), Henock Inonga (Royal Armed Forces, Morocco), Peter Kioso (Oxford United, England), Gédéon Kalulu (Lorient, France), Joris Kayembe (Genk, Belgium), Arthur Masuaku (Besiktas, Turkey), Chancel Mbemba (Olympique de Marseille, France)

Midfielders: William Balikwisha (OH Leuven, Belgium), Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Meshack Elia (Young Boys Berne, Switzerland), Gael Kakuta (Esteghlal, Iran), Nathanaël Mbuku (Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia), Silas Katompa Mvumpa (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Edo Kayembe (Watford, England), Samuel Moutoussamy (Sivasspor, Turkey), Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille, France), Charles Pickel (Cremonense, Italy), Noah Sadiki (Union Saint Gilloise, Belgium)

Forwards: Simon Banza (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Samuel Essende (Ausgburg, Germany), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids, Egypt), Yoane Wissa (Brentford).