DR Congo
Introduction
A coach, in Claude Le Roy, that was (and still is) the living embodiment of best practice for how foreign coaches should conduct themselves on African shores; an African superclub – TP Mazembe - which had won the Champions League twice in three years from 2009-2011; the unveiling of the mythical Tresor Mputu, Africa’s answer to the naturally gifted but somewhat demonic No.10, to a global audience - those were just a few of the reasons why African football anoraks felt DR Congo’s qualification for the 2013 tournament was exactly what the DR ordered.
Yet, despite their classification as pre-tournament dark horses, the Leopards failed to leave lasting imprints. Laboured, myopic and unhinged by bizarre team selections, they failed to penetrate pragmatic opposition in Mali and Niger, and waved goodbye in the group stage.
This time around they have qualified on the virtue of being the best third-placed team. That route may suggest that they got lucky, but their riposte would be that they did so from the group of death, finishing behind Cameroon and Ivory Coast. The highlight was a 4-3 win over Ivory Coast in Abidjan, inflicting the Elephants’ first home defeat in nine years.
Able to pluck domestic-based talent from booming continental giants in AS Vita Club and TP Mazembe, and foreign-based talent such as Dieumerci Mbokani, Yannick Bolasie and Youssouf Mulumbu, the Leopards are glittered with some of the most distinguished players at the upcoming tournament.
However, there are question marks about the team’s equilibrium: there is a feeling that there is too much thrust in attack and too much rust at the back. The players to go on a memorable run are there, if - a big if – there is some tactical balance and consistency.
The Framework
Florent Ibenge generally favours the vogue 4-2-3-1 formation. The passages of play largely occur on the wings, where Bolasie and the pocket-sized Cedric Mabwati, the Leopards’ two most enigmatic and creative players, reside. Every opportunity is made to get those players into the game, particularly by the like-for-like midfield double pivot of captain Youssouf Mulumbu and Cedric Makiadi. The pace of their offensive players make them most venomous when on the break.