AFCON 2025 – Why Yoane Wissa Has Been Drop From DR Congo Squad For AFCON

The Democratic Republic of Congo have opted to leave out forward Yoane Wissa from their final 26-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, despite the attacker edging closer to full fitness after a long injury spell.

Wissa, 29, has been sidelined since suffering a knee setback while on international duty in October.

Although he completed an 11-a-side training session last week and remains under assessment at Newcastle United, national team coach Sebastien Desabre has chosen not to risk him for the continental competition in Morocco.

Speaking earlier on Monday, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe revealed that the forward had resumed full-contact training and is expected to feature in another internal match this week.

Nevertheless, his progress has not been enough to convince Desabre, who has instead opted for the group that recently secured DR Congo a place in the inter-confederation playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

That squad—with a blend of experience and rising talent, defeated Nigeria in a tense playoff last month, a triumph which included debutant Michel-Ange Balikwisha converting a crucial shootout penalty.

Balikwisha headlines a trio of former Belgium youth internationals retained by Desabre alongside goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo and midfielder Mario Stroeykens.

DR Congo, drawn in Group D, will begin their AFCON journey on December 23 against Benin in Rabat, before meeting Botswana and powerhouse Senegal in what promises to be a fiercely competitive group.

DR Congo’s 26-Man AFCON Squad

Goalkeepers:
Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre)

Defenders:
Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian), Gedeon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Legia Warsaw), Joris Kayembe (Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland), Chancel Mbemba (Marseille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham)

Midfielders:
Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Michel-Ange Balikwisha (Celtic), Brian Cipenga (Castellon), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht)

Forwards:
Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Samuel Essende (Augsburg), Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids)