Yoane Wissa is among 11 players released by the Democratic Republic of the Congo after the Leopards made a winning start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The decision follows victories over Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe, which have put the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the top of their qualifying group. They opened with a 2-0 win against Equatorial Guinea before beating Zimbabwe 2-1 in Harare.
Head coach Sebastien Desabre will now use the remainder of the international window to assess other members of his squad, with two friendly matches against Uganda ahead.
The Federation Congolaise de Football Association confirmed the departures of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Arthur Masuaku, Axel Tuanzebe, Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Meschack Elia, Brian Cipenga, Yoane Wissa, Fiston Mayele and Simon Banza.
Wissa, who scored in both of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s opening qualifying matches, is one of several established players and regular starters to leave the camp. Their departures are part of Desabre’s original plan for the international window and do not indicate any problem within the squad.
Desabre selected two different groups for a programme containing four matches and 14 new call-ups. The intention was to avoid using all of his senior players throughout the entire period.
Having taken six points from a possible six in the competitive fixtures, the released players can return to their clubs without affecting the main objective of the window.
The remaining members of the delegation have travelled to Pretoria for a second training camp, which will run until 6 October. The Democratic Republic of the Congo will face Uganda at FNB Stadium on 2 and 5 October.
Those matches will give Desabre the opportunity to examine players who have yet to establish themselves in the national team. Willy Kambwala, Brandon Ndezi, Jorthy Mokio and Jordy Makengo are among those hoping to strengthen their positions in the squad.
Anthony Musaba of Norwich will not take part after withdrawing from the camp.
The focus of this second phase is therefore different from the opening two matches. Rather than pursuing points in the qualifying table, Desabre wants to expand his options and determine whether the newcomers can move closer to the level of the established players.
The Uganda fixtures are expected to feature a side with less experience and fewer established partnerships, but that is precisely what the coach intends to evaluate. With the senior players having set the team on course in qualification, the opportunity now belongs to those seeking a place in the starting line-up.
Desabre’s task is to discover whether the Leopards can build more than one competitive team as they prepare for the challenges ahead.