U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers: Guy Bukasa announces a 30-man Leopards squad.

As part of the first round of qualifications for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations, national coach Guy Bukasa has announced an official list of 30 selected players. To optimally prepare for this crucial event, the young Leopards will soon fly to Morocco for an intensive training camp. This gathering aims to refine collective automatism and establish tactical strategies ahead of the opening match.

The double confrontation with Mauritania is set to be decisive for Congolese aspirations during this continental campaign. The U23 Leopards will play the first leg on Mauritanian soil on September 28, 2026, before returning to Kinshasa to face their supporters in the second leg scheduled for October 6, 2026. These two crucial matches will require discipline and unity within the group to secure qualification.

To meet this challenge, the Congolese coach has assembled a balanced squad, combining young talents from the local league with players from clubs such as TP Mazembe, FC Lupopo, Maniema Union, and FC Les Aigles du Congo, as well as reinforcements playing in Europe and the Middle East. This mix of continental experience and European tactical rigor gives the U23 team a competitive edge to overcome this initial hurdle towards the AFCON.

Here is the official list of 30 U23 Leopards selected by Guy Bukasa:

Goalkeepers

Tutu Ryan – SM Caen (France)
Roland Leny – Royal Aywaille (Belgium)
Utshudi Ikie – CS Don Bosco (DR Congo)
Ngoy Prince – FC Lupopo (DR Congo)

Defenders

Tshilanda Daniel – Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium)
Twite Carel – FC Lupopo (DR Congo)
Kalonji Dieu – TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
Mabete Filozofe – Forest Green Rovers (England)
Shindani Gabriel – Les Aigles du Congo (DR Congo)
Kena Kabeya Ethan – Clermont Foot (France)
Verhaeghe Manoël – LASK (Austria)
Kalume Gloire – TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
Nobien Bitomwa – AS Simba (DR Congo)
Binene Steve – AS Maniema Union (DR Congo)

Midfielders

Kimboma Josué – SM Caen (France)
Ahoka Jules – Sunderland AFC (England)
Manitu Messy – Amiens SC (France)
Bayanginisa Honoré – FC Sochaux (France)
Makanza Noah – Umm Salal SC (Qatar)
Efuelé Frédéric – Toulouse FC (France)
Bakadi Barclet – AS Maniema Union (DR Congo)

Forwards

Kabwit Oscar – FC Lucerne (Switzerland)
Bongeli Faveurdi – FC Lucerne (Switzerland)
Ntanda Samuel – UD Leiria (Portugal)
Kuange Jordy – Leça FC (Portugal)
Kayombo Axel – Sturm Graz (Austria)
Talasi Tonny – Les Aigles du Congo (DR Congo)
Mapendo Candidat – AS Vita Club (DR Congo)
Mboko Yohan – Lierse SK (Belgium)
Spadoni Arthur – FC Crotone (Italy)