Éric Tshibasu: “Bongonda will definitely come back, Mbemba is the best defender in DR Congo’s history”

24.09.26 FT AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

DR Congo

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Equatorial Guinea

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DR Congo made a successful start to their qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) by beating Equatorial Guinea (2-0), thanks to goals from Chancel Mbemba and Yoane Wissa.

The Leopards will now have the opportunity to take another step towards qualification when they travel to Harare on Monday, September 28, to face Zimbabwe.

As the second round of qualifying approaches, “Foot Africa” spoke to Éric Tshibasu, former coach of the Leopards’ U20 and U21 teams, to look back at DR Congo’s performance against Equatorial Guinea and discuss the upcoming match against Zimbabwe.

Despite DR Congo’s victory, are you convinced by the way this team played?

Well, it was a somewhat complicated match, in a rather strange atmosphere, with very few supporters. It was also the post-World Cup match, with all the expectations that could create, so that’s a little normal. But I still felt there was a lot of desire.

We played a little higher up and tried to keep the ball. It wasn’t easy, especially in the heat, but I think there were some good foundations. It was an encouraging match.

Did the new pitch installed at the Stade des Martyrs allow the Leopards to develop their game better?

With the new pitch, it was a little difficult, because I have the impression that it is not yet properly settled in. It may be a little too high.

So, we will have to give it a little time. Everyone had wanted a semi-synthetic or grass pitch, but unfortunately, we had to go with a synthetic pitch again.

It does not help us at home, but at least no player was injured. That’s positive.

After a heroic World Cup campaign, what should we expect from the Leopards during these qualifiers?

It is a team that has always been very clinical in qualifying. We saw that in all the campaigns, even during the play-offs. In qualifying phases, Congo has become a reliable force.

The group is fairly manageable, so I think there is an opportunity to do something. However, there are no small teams in Africa anymore, so we have to be very careful.

We also know Equatorial Guinea. Even though they lost 2-0, they are a team that can cause a lot of problems at home, because they like to play football.

They are in a new cycle, so perhaps that is why they need to be given a little time.

We now have a big test against Zimbabwe, so it will not be easy there. But we really have a very solid team in qualifying, so there is nothing to say on that front.

Against Zimbabwe in Harare, should Sébastien Desabre rotate his starting XI or stick with the same team?

Knowing Sébastien Desabre, I think he first wants to take as many points as possible. After that, he will have two friendly matches against Uganda, during which he will be able to test quite a few new players.

So, I think he will stick with a core group he knows and which will allow him to take the three points. Taking six points in a group in which two teams qualify and which, I believe, consists of six matches in total would already be positive heading into the return phase.

Should Théo Bongonda continue to have the coach’s confidence in the next match, despite his poor performance this afternoon against Guinea?

He was not really the “Théo Messi” we know today. He was a little more timid and played much deeper than he could have to offer.

He was very far from Wissa, which also prevented the latter from expressing himself at the start of the match. He also blocked the flank in the first half, which did not allow Bissaka to express himself. That is why we saw the play leaning heavily to the left.

He had very few balls and, normally, since the play was leaning to the left, he should have been much closer to Wissa in order to make an impact. Staying out wide, near the touchline, did not allow him to contribute much.

It happens; there can sometimes be many things that explain a performance. We are not with them every day, but we know Théo’s qualities. I think he will definitely come back and show something different in the next matches.

Is Chancel Mbemba, in your view, the best defender in DR Congo’s history?

I think I am not taking much of a risk by saying that he is the best defender in Congo’s history. He is even one of the best players in its history.

With six AFCON appearances to his name, and set to play in his seventh, I think no one has done as much, or better.

On top of that, he is a player who scores. A central defender who scores and also provides assists.

He is emblematic and there is nothing more to say. For me, at present, he is even the best Congolese player in history.

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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DR Congo

Equatorial Guinea

AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations