2027 AFCON qualifiers: 26 Leopards named for Sierra Leone, with Cédric Bakambu but without Théo Bongonda or Samuel Essende

Author: Michel ToboPublished on: November 6, 2026Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Sports

2027 AFCON qualifiers: 26 Leopards named for Sierra Leone, with Cédric Bakambu but without Théo Bongonda or Samuel Essende

DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre has named 26 players for the matches against Sierra Leone in the third and fourth rounds of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Cédric Bakambu returns to the squad, while Théo Bongonda and Samuel Essende are left out; Essende has scored 15 goals for Young Boys this season. Timothy Fayulu is also recalled despite being without a club since the end of the World Cup. Desabre has kept faith with young players who impressed during the previous international break.

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