The Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday omitted forward Yoane Wissa from the 26-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, as the forward has been out of action since October.
Wissa, 29, suffered a knee injury on international duty and has not featured for Newcastle United since his move from Brentford at the start of the Premier League season.
But he is back in training and on Monday Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said: “Yoane took part in an 11-a-side training match while we were at Everton.
“He’ll get another one sometime this week, and we’ll see how close he is (to returning to action).”
However, DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre has left Wissa out of the squad for this month’s tournament in Morocco.
The Congolese compete in Group D and will play their first match against Benin in Rabat on December 23. They also have Botswana and Senegal in their section.
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Desabre has retained confidence in the team that won the play-offs for the Africa World Cup last month and thus secured a place in the play-offs between the confederations in Mexico in March.
DR Congo will face New Caledonia or Jamaica for a place at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the US
Desabre included former Belgian junior internationals Michel-Ange Balikwisha, goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo and Mario Stroeykens, who were all called up for the first time last month.
On his debut, Balikwisha converted a penalty in the shootout as they defeated Nigeria in Rabat, Morocco, to win the African World Cup qualifier.
DR Congo team
Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liège), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre)
Defenders: Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian), Gedeon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Legia Warschau), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland), Chancel Mbemba (Olympique de Marseille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United)
Middle players: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Michel-Ange Balikwisha (Glasgow Celtic), Brian Celtic (Castellon), Edo Kayembed), Nathanael Mbuku (montPellier), Samuel Moutoussang (Atromites), TIALYOU (Espanyou (Espanyou), ni atromitotits), tromitates), tromitos). in (Sunderland), Mario Stroeykens (Andercht)
Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (real Betis), Simon Banza (al Jazira), Samuel Essende (Augsburg), Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor), Fiston Makambo (Piramides)
Published on December 2, 2025
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