Since taking charge of the Democratic Republic of Congo in August 2022, Sébastien Desabre has built his side around a core group of players who have become central to his plans.
The French coach has prioritised stability and tactical continuity during his time with the Leopards, regularly turning to the same experienced players as he seeks to strengthen the national team.
Captain Chancel Mbemba and midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy have been the most consistent figures under Desabre, with both players making 46 appearances for the national team during the coach’s tenure.
Meschack Elia follows closely with 45 appearances, highlighting his importance to the attacking setup.
Arthur Masuaku and Théo Bongonda have each featured 37 times, while Yoane Wissa has made 36 appearances since Desabre took charge.
Desabre’s most-used players
The six players have collectively formed the core of Desabre’s team, with their regular involvement reflecting the coach’s preference for continuity.
Mbemba has provided leadership at the heart of the team, while Moutoussamy has offered experience and balance in midfield.
Elia has also established himself as a regular attacking option, while Masuaku, Bongonda and Wissa have been repeatedly trusted in wide and advanced positions.
Their high appearance figures underline how important familiarity has been to Desabre’s approach as he continues to develop the Leopards.
The numbers behind Desabre’s core
The six most-used players under Desabre are:
- Chancel Mbemba — 46 matches
- Samuel Moutoussamy — 46 matches
- Meschack Elia — 45 matches
- Arthur Masuaku — 37 matches
- Théo Bongonda — 37 matches
- Yoane Wissa — 36 matches
The consistency of their involvement illustrates the importance Desabre has placed on a settled group since taking over in 2022.
With the Leopards continuing to compete on multiple fronts, the experience of these players is likely to remain an important part of Desabre’s plans as he seeks to maintain the progress made under his leadership.
