Congo add experience for Cup of Nations qualifiers

Congo, who share the same Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group with South Africa, have wrung the changes after devastating defeat in their last match as they named their squad for the start of the campaign to qualify for the 2025 finals in Morocco.

Congo were handed a 6-0 away hammering in Morocco in June in World Cup qualifying and coach Isaac Ngata said the Cup of Nations represents a chance for the team to get back on its feet.

Congo kick off their Group K campaign home against South Sudan in Brazzaville on Thursday September 5 and then go away to take on Uganda in Kampala on September 9.

They will meet Bafana Bafana home and away in October in their third and fourth matches in the group.

There is a first call-up for former France junior internatioal Melvin Zinga from top flight club Angers and Paris-born centre back Kévin Mouanga, who plays for Lausanne-Sport in Switzerland.

There is also a surprise call up for the uncapped 30-year-old left back Junior Etou, who plays semi professional football in the United States at lower tier club Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Defenders Ryan Bidounga, Romaric Etou-Thomaso and Francis Nzaba have been recalled, as well as Serie A striker Gabriel Charpentier from Parma.

Justifying the changes Ngata said: "The game in Morocco told me that the emotional load was too great for some of our younger players, We missed experience.

Africa has left us behind since 2015, we must find it again. The first two matches in the qualifying group are always very important and you have to approach them with a lot of energy and willpower. Home matches are to be won. This is the first step towards success. Then you have to grab points from you opponents.”

The squad also includes goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi, who played briefly at Free State Stars in the 2016-17 Premier Soccer League seaosn before going onto Blackpool in England. He is now playing his club football in Malta.

CONGO SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Christoffer Mafoumbi (Floriana, Malta), Owen-Césaire Matingou (Orleans, France), Pavel Nzila (APR FC, Rwanda), Melvin Zinga (Angers, France)

Defenders: Yohan Andzouana (DAC 1904, Slovenia), Ryan Bidounga (CSKA 1948 Sofia, Bulgaria), Junior Etou (Pittsburgh Riverhounds, USA), Romaric Etou-Thomaso (Dila, Georgia), Christ Makosso (RWD Molenbeek, Belgium), Kévin Mouanga (Lausanne-Sport, Switzerland), Francis Nzaba (Esenler Erokspor, Turkey) Morgan Poaty (Lausanne-Sport, Switzerland), Bryan Passi (Mafra, Portugal)

Midfielders: Fred Dembi (Red Star, France), Junior Etou (Pittsburgh Riverhounds, USA), William Hondermarck (Northampton Town, England), Antoine Makoumbou (Cagliari, Italy), Chandral Massanga (Hatayspor, Turkey), Merveille Ndockyt (HNK Gorica, Croatia), Raviere Otanga (Al Kharitiyath, Qatar)

Forwards: Mons Bassouamina (Clermont Foot, France), Archange Bintsouka (Partizani Tirana, Albania), Gabriel Charpentier (Parma), Silvere Ganvoula (Young Boys Berne, Switzerland), Beni Makouana (Polissya, Ukraine), Vieljeux Mboungou (FK TSC Backa Topola, Serbia), Rabby Nzingoula (Racing Strasbourg, France).