DR Congo lost 6-5 on penalties in the 3rd/4th placed match on Saturday night in Abidjan against South Africa.
Speaking to the press after the defeat against South Africa, Sebastien Desabre, the head coach of DR Congo praised AFCON 2023 and lamented the Leopards’ inability to lift their first AFCON trophy in 50 years.
“We started something new. We changed the team. We gave chances to other players,” said Desabre.
DR Congo made seven changes with Bryan Bayeye, Joris Kayembe, Dylan Batubinsika, Aaron Tsibola, Grady Diangana, Silas and Simon Banza all starting for for the Leopards in the 3rd/4th position.
“This is a beautiful AFCON tournament and, sadly, we didn’t win it. We are one of the teams that had the most chances but the ratio to converting them wasn’t clear. We need to keep working,” revealed Desabre.
DR Congo was the worse team in terms of finishing as they squandered almost every chance they created in the AFCON.
“We have enough quality on this side. We are happy to have performed well during this AFCON. We had more progression at every level,” disclosed Desabre.
DR Congo indeed has so many talents the world over as almost their whole squad ply their trade in Europe.
“I have a contract and I’ll stay until they tell me to leave,” added the French head coach, Sebastien Desabre.
He expressed his willingness to continue his role as the head coach as long as he is needed by DR Congo.