DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
FIFA Rank: 99
Coach: Claude Le Roy
Captain: Tresor Mputu
Nickname: Leopards
Best AFCON finish: Champions (1968, 1974)
AFCON 2012 finish: Did not qualify
AFCON PEDIGREE:
It has been quite the fall from grace for the DRC since they dominated African football between 1965 and 1980. The Leopards have failed to qualify for the three finals before South Africa 2013, but made the quarterfinals in 2006 and the semi-finals in 1998. It was in 1972 that they achieved their only other semi-final finish.
Claude Le Roy's side qualified for the continental showpiece in emphatic fashion, crushing Seychelles 7-0 on aggregate in the first round before pummelling Equatorial Guinea 5-2 on aggregate in the second round to book their ticket to South Africa.
SQUAD OVERVIEW:
The DRC boast one of the most cosmopolitan teams in the world. Their players are plying their trade in a wide variety of countries. Belgium, France and England host numerous Congolese footballers in their leagues.
Herita Ilunga, a former West Ham regular, will patrol the left-flank for the Leopards, while captain Tresor Mputu will provide the threat upfront.
Yannick Bolaise (Crystal Palace) and Gabriel Zakuani (Peterborough United) were included in coach Claude Le Roy's 28-man provisional squad although the former was reported to have snubbed the honour.
Also included in the squad is veteran striker and former skipper Lomana LuaLua who spearheaded his country's attack at their last AFCON appearance back in 2006.
Parfait Mandanda, younger brother of Steve, the French international goalkeeper, is a surprise inclusion in the squad, but could prove to be an inspired one.
Dieumerci Mbokani of Standard Liege and West Brom midfielder Youssuf Mulumbu are some of the better known players in Le Roy's squad.
Full Squad: TBC
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