Kinshasa, March 17th, 2022 (CPA) – The coach of the Leopards of DR Congo, the Argentinian Raul Hector Cuper, presented his civilities to the Minister in charge of Sports and Leisure, Serge Chembo Nkonde, on Thursday March 17th in his office, in Gombe municipality.
The Leopards coach was then received by the president of the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA), Donatien Tshimanga Mwamba, at the headquarters of the Congolese football body, in the same municipality.
At the end of his interview with President Tshimanga, he announced the arrival next Sunday of professional players. Dieumerci Mbokani Bezua is expected the day before Saturday and will join Ben Malango Ngita, who is already staying in Kinshasa. Meschak Elia Lina, meanwhile, will join the Congolese capital on Monday, March 21st.
To a question about the list of retained players, Hector Cuper indicated that he has not yet published a list, all those circulating are pure speculation.
Morocco: The list against DRC with EzAbde!
Present this Thursday at a press conference, Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic unveiled his list of 26 players selected to face DR Congo in 2022 World Cup play-offs on Friday March 25th and Tuesday March 29th.
In the absence of Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui, who refused last Sunday to return to the selection, the list is marked by the great premiere of Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, known as EzAbde. Revealed this season with FC Barcelona, the 20-year-old winger should have made his debut at CAN 2021 in Cameroon, but he preferred to postpone his arrival due to pressure from his club, an episode including “Coach Vahid” wouldn’t hold it against him.
While Adel Taarabt (Benfica, injury) and Aymen Barkok (Eintracht Frankfurt, playing time) are missing in midfield, two locals make their appearance: the left side of Wydad Casablanca, Yahia Attiyat Allah (27), called up for the first time, and experienced WAC midfielder Yahya Jabrane (30), not called up since June 2021. Absent from CAN 2021, central defender Jawad El Yamiq (Real Valladolid) is also performing his return.
For the rest, it’s classic with executives Yassine Bounou, Romain Saïss, Achraf Hakim, Imran Louza and Youssef En-Nesyri all present. Compared to CAN 2021, Barkok, Souffian El Karouani (NEC Nijmegen), Badr Benoun (central defender, Al Ahly, injured), Mohamed Chibi (right back, FAR Rabat), Zakaria Aboukhlal (AZ Alkmaar) and Soufiane Rahimi (winger , Al Ain) are the losers coming off the list.
“Cuper is a smart coach” Vahid Halilhodzic
The coach of the Atlas Lions, the Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic, is already in the fever of the meeting and seems to have an idea of these shocks. “In my head, I already have the organization of the match in Kinshasa and that of Casa. This is how I compose my group, especially in attack. I have several profiles in the axis and a few on the corridor. Because I would play these matches differently”, he explained before analyzing his opponent.
“Cuper is a smart coach. He knows how to prepare for this kind of match. I have already seen several matches of the DRC. It will be a special game. We must try to erase their qualities and play on their faults. It’s a special preparation. »
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