jin88bet.one Democratic Republic of Congo coach Sébastien Desabre says Cédric Bakambu’s absence from the latest squad does not signal the end of the striker’s international career.
Bakambu was left out of the DRC’s 29-player squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, prompting questions about his futur ak168app.baby e with the Leopards.
But Desabre has rejected suggestions that the 35-year-old has been dropped permanently, explaini ak168app.club ng that the decision was made for sporting reasons following Bakambu’s late move to Major League Soccer side San Diego FC.
Speaking at a press conference at the hea ks168app.site dquarters of the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA) on Friday, Desabre said Bakambu needs time to settle at his new club and regain playing fitness.
The French c ic88 oach said he had discussed the situation directly with the striker before the decision was made.
“Regarding Bakambu, his signing with his club came late. We discussed it and agreed th ic88 at he first needed to focus on settling in.”
Desabre subsequently offered further clarification on Bakambu’s situation, stressing that the striker’s ic88 international career remains open.
“Cédric signed late with his club, the Bakambu era with the national team is NOT over. It will be UP TO HIM to say whether t ic88 here will be an end or not.
“Integration into his new club is important, especially given the health context. We have spoken with him in this regard. He must adapt to his new club to become operati lr88 onal again with the national team in the future.”
Bakambu had been without a club for two months before making his return to football with San Diego FC in MLS.
Desabre b lr88 elieves the striker’s priority should now be adapting to his new surroundings and getting sufficient playing time before returning to the national team.
The coac lr88 h has introduced 14 new players as he looks to reshape the Leopards following the 2026 World Cup.
Among the new call-ups are Willy Kambwa lr88 la of Como, Kévin Pedro of Saint-Étienne, Nathan Ndibu of Les Aigles du Congo and Jorthy Mokio of Ajax.
The chang op88 es form part of Desabre’s stated objective of maintaining the DRC’s progress and establishing the country among Africa’s top five footballing nations.
The Leopards will begin t si88 heir latest AFCON qualification campaign against Equatorial Guinea before facing Zimbabwe.
For Desabre, the focus is therefore not only on repl 88v acing established players but also on developing a squad capable of competing in the next phase of the national team’s development.
Bakambu’s absence gives some of the newly selected players an opportunity to make SEXXXXX-VN their case, while the coach has made it clear that the door remains open for the experienced striker.
