Despite finishing third at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, Democratic Republic of Congo coach Florent Ibenge has seen fit to invite a raft of new faces to the side for the Leopards’ first post-Afcon friendlies.
READ MORE:
(Video) DR Congo Keeper Muteba Kidiaba Conducts Unusual Celebration as His Side Books AFCON Semi-Final Berth
DR Congo Coach Respects Marseille Striker Michy Batshuayi’s Decision to Represent Belgium National Side
Bastia news
The new-look squad named be Ibenge is full of French-based players, or those who have previously enjoyed playing time in Ligue 1 or l’Hexagone’s lower leagues.
Perhaps the chief coup for the local coach is the successful recruitment of SC Bastia’s on-loan Paris Saint-Germain forward Hervin Ongenda. The 19-year-old has featured for France at every youth level from U16 to U21, but despite still being in his teens, has decided to commit his international future to the land of his parents.
PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe and Chris Mavinga of Stade de Reims (another French U21 international) have also been named in the squad for the trip to Dubai and the friendly against Iraq on March 28.
Remi Mulumba of Lorient has also been named, as has Evian Thonon Gaillard’s Clarck N’Sikulu. Cedric Bakambu, who featured for Sochaux-Montbeliard in the top flight, has also received his maiden invitation to the Leopards side.