DR Congo Football Federation (FECOFA) has handed head coach Sébastien Desabre a new five-year contract that will keep him in charge of the national team until May 2029.
The 47-year-old Frenchman, who originally took over the Leopards in August 2022, has been rewarded with an extended deal following DR Congo’s impressive fourth-place finish at this year’s TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
“FECOFA is pleased to inform national and international press of the extension of the contract of the Manager Selector of its Senior Men’s National Team A ‘Leopards’, for a period of five (5) years,” read a statement from the federation.
Desabre’s previous terms were due to expire in June 2025 but the new agreement will see him remain at the helm until May 2029, ensuring continuity for DR Congo as they target a first World Cup appearance since 1974.
The former Chamois Niortais boss oversaw the Leopards’ qualification for the 2023 TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, sealing their place with a 2-0 away victory over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Gabon in the final qualifier in June last year.
He then guided the side to a creditable campaign in Cote d’Ivoire, holding Morocco to a 0-0 draw in the groups before eliminating record holders Egypt on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in the last 16.
That run to the quarter-finals marked DR Congo’s best performance at the continental finals in eight years and convinced FECOFA to hand Desabre an extended contract.
“Sébastien Desabre, after a very distinguished career at the TotalEnergies Côte d’Ivoire 2023 AFCON, will continue this work of rebuilding our Congolese national teams until May 2029,” the federation added.
Desabre’s immediate focus will be on securing a place at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, with the Leopards currently third in their qualifying group after one win and one defeat from their opening two matches.
A crucial double-header against Group B leaders Senegal and Togo awaits next month, with Desabre’s men travelling to Diamniadio to face the Lions of Teranga on 6 June before hosting the Sparrowhawks in Kinshasa three days later.
“The objective will now be to qualify the Leopards for the next World Cup in 2026,” FECOFA confirmed.
Third in Group B after a victory (2-0 against Mauritania) and a defeat (1-0 against Sudan), Chancel Mbemba’s team-mates will take on leaders Senegal on June 6 in Diamniadio, before hosting Togo in Kinshasa three days later.