Makelele, Nonda, Hitoto… The DRC announces big names to help the Leopards
Frenchman Claude Makélélé, during his presentation as technical mentor of young Chelsea players.
Chelsea FC via Getty Images - Darren Walsh
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
4 min
The Congolese Football Federation (Fécofa) has announced that former midfielders Claude Makélélé and Roger Hitoto have been appointed ambassadors of Congolese football.
At the same time, she assured that the former captain of the national team Shabani Nonda would be the adviser to the president of Fécaofa and that Muntubile Santos would be that of the future coach of the Leopards.
A position which seems promised to Rolland Courbis but the Frenchman indicated that nothing was done.
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Operation redemption seems to have been launched for DRC football, a month after a
non-qualification for the next African Cup
of Nations men (
CAN 2021
).
As the qualifications for the 2022 World Cup approach, the Congolese Football Federation (Fécofa) is increasing the announcements.
This May 10, 2021, she assured that the former midfielders Claude Makélélé and Roger Hitoto were named "
ambassadors of Congolese football
".
"
The newly promoted are responsible for contacting, monitoring and convincing binationals on the world stage
[to play for the
DRC
national team
, Editor's note]," a statement said.
Fécofa is counting a lot on the aura of ex-great players like Makélélé, former star of the team of France, Real Madrid (Spain) and Chelsea (England), to revive the Leopards.
Another illustration with the designation of the former star striker of the DRC and AS Monaco (France), Shabani Nonda, as “
Advisor to the President
” of Fécofa.
Unclear about the future coach of the Leopards
At the same time, the Federation has entrusted Muntubile Santos with the role of “
Advisor to the national coach of senior Leopards A
”.
Santos has already been the coach of the Leopards and won the first African Nations Championship (CHAN 2009) at the head of the premises.
It remains to be seen who this seasoned technician will help.
Indeed, Fécaofa had set its sights on Hugo Broos to lead the men's national team.
But the Belgian preferred to engage with South Africa.
Congolese leaders then announced that they had reached an agreement in principle with Rolland Courbis.
But the French, who has led many clubs in his country (Bordeaux, Marseille, Lens, Montpellier, Rennes, etc.), cooled their enthusiasm: "
It's very nice to think of me for the Congo, there is indeed enough to make a great team!
But I cannot tell you anything more that I am under contract with RMC Sport
[a French audiovisual group, Editor's note].
There is nothing else !
"
Leopards in expectation
Fortunately for Fécofa, the resumption of
qualifying for the 2022 World Cup
has been postponed from June to September, which gives it time to find the suitable technician and to work on another subject.
She sent the African Football Confederation a file about Gabonese Guélor Kanga.
Fécofa leaders assure that the midfielder, who faced the DRC in qualifying for CAN 2021, was ineligible.
They have requested the disqualification of Gabon and hope that their selection will be drafted for the Africa Cup scheduled for Cameroon from January 9 to February 6.
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