Congo Football Federation (FECOFA) has announced a major restructuring of domestic football, administratively relegating 12 clubs from the top flight while unveiling plans to reshape Ligue 2 ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The reforms are aimed at improving the quality, competitiveness and financial sustainability of club football in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the federation calling for a complete rethink of the country’s second division.
The move marks one of the most significant administrative changes in Congolese football in recent years and signals FECOFA’s intention to place greater emphasis on professionalism and compliance with league regulations.
As part of the overhaul, FECOFA has instructed the National Football League (LINAFOOT) to redesign the structure of Ligue 2.
According to the federation, the objective is to create a competition that is more competitive on the pitch while becoming increasingly attractive to supporters, sponsors and commercial partners.
The federation also wants the second tier to become more economically viable for participating clubs, a challenge that has affected domestic football for several years.
Alongside those structural changes, FECOFA has taken the significant step of relegating 12 clubs from the country’s top division after they failed to satisfy the regulatory requirements demanded of first-division teams.
Among the clubs affected are some of the best-known names in Congolese football.
The list includes DCMP, OC Renaissance and FC Renaissance, all prominent clubs from Kinshasa, as well as OC Bukavu Dawa, US Panda B52, JS Groupe Bazano and US Tshinkunku.
The administrative sanctions represent a major shift away from protecting clubs based on their history or reputation.
Instead, FECOFA has based its decisions on compliance with the standards required to compete in the country’s top division.
To accommodate the changes, Ligue 2 itself will undergo a significant transformation.
Beginning with the 2026-27 season, the competition is expected to be reduced to just 12 clubs in each geographical zone, creating a more streamlined league structure.
The new campaign is scheduled to begin on 30 August 2026.
The reforms are expected to reshape the domestic football landscape by reducing the size of the competition while increasing standards across participating clubs.
Although the relegation of so many established clubs has come as a major disappointment for their supporters, the wider reaction among many football observers has been more positive.
The decision has been viewed by many as a bold attempt to strengthen the foundations of Congolese football by rewarding clubs that meet organisational and professional standards rather than relying solely on historical achievements.
For African football, the reforms could become a significant case study in how national associations seek to improve domestic competitions through stricter governance and licensing requirements.
Strong domestic leagues remain central to developing players, attracting investment and strengthening national teams across the continent.
FECOFA’s latest measures suggest the federation believes long-term progress will require difficult decisions in the short term.
