THE Democratic Republic of Congo have named their squad for the World Cup play-offs, including three former Belgian Under-21 internationals.
The Leopards begin the play-offs, billed for Rabat, Morocco, in the second semi-final against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on November 13.
The winners of that clash will face either the Super Eagles of Nigeria or Gabon in the final on November 16, with the sole ticket to the intercontinental play-offs at stake.
DR Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre has named a 25-man squad as they look to return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when they were still called Zaire.
The Belgian trio are attacking midfielder Mario Stroeykens, who at 21 has already captained Brussels giants Anderlecht; winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha from Celtic in Scotland; and Standard Liège goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo, who only last month sat on the bench for Belgium’s Under-21s.
Brian Cipenga from Spanish club Castellón keeps his place after coming into the Leopards squad for last month’s final World Cup group qualifiers as a late injury replacement.
He won a first cap as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Sudan in Kinshasa on October 14.
All the players who featured in the October victories over Togo (1-0 away on October 10) and Sudan return for the playoffs, but the Congolese must still do without injured Yoane Wissa, who suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury when they lost to Senegal in their key clash in September.
Dropping out of the squad that was selected for the last two Group B matches in October are goalkeeper Dimitri Bertaud, defender Dylan Batubinsika, midfielder Grady Diangana, and strikers Jackson Muleka and Afimico Pululu.
DR CONGO SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP PLAY-OFFS
Goalkeepers:
Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege, Belgium), Timothy Fayulu (Noah, Armenia), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre, France)
Defenders:
Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian, Scotland), Gédéon Kalulu (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Steve Kapuadi (Legia Warsaw, Poland), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk, Belgium), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland, England), Chancel Mbemba (Olympique de Marseille, France), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley, England), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United, England)
Midfielders:
Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Michel-Ange Balikwisha (Glasgow Celtic, Scotland), Edo Kayembe (Watford, England), Nathanaël Mbuku (Montpellier, France), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos, Greece), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille, France), Charles Pickel (Espanyol, Spain), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland, England), Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht, Belgium)
Forwards:
Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis, Spain), Samuel Essende (Augsburg, Germany), Brian Cipenga (Castellón, Spain), Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids, Egypt).