- DR Congo lost 1-0 to Kenya in their Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 opener on Sunday at Kasarani Stadium.
- Head coach Otis Ngoma attributed the defeat to poor preparation and limited match fitness.
- Their next match is against Zambia on Thursday at 4:00 PM at Nyayo Stadium.
Poor preparation and lack of match fitness proved decisive as DR Congo suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Kenya in their opening match of the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium on Sunday according to head coach Otis Ngoma.
The two-time CHAN champions were considered the frontrunners in Group A which features Kenya, Zambia, Morocco and Angola.
However, their campaign began on a disappointing note, with Austine Odhiambo’s first-half strike securing a historic win for Kenya in their debut appearance at the tournament.
Despite a determined second-half effort, the Congolese side failed to capitalize on their chances and now face a pivotal clash against Zambia in their next group fixture.
Poor preparation key to DR Congo loss
Ngoma attributed the Leopards’ struggles to a combination of rust and an insufficient pre-tournament training camp.
With their domestic league concluding prematurely and players experiencing prolonged inactivity, the squad entered the competition lacking match readiness.
We have players who are lacking in competition. Today we lost a lot of balls, missed goal opportunities—perhaps due to fatigue, inattention, lack of concentration, but also other details,” Ngoma said at the post-mmatch press conference as quoted by CHAN Media.
The Congolese side had only two and a half weeks of preparation, a period Ngoma admitted was insufficient to build team chemistry and cohesion.
“The pre-competition training camp wasn’t what it should have been. The early end of our championship meant the players hadn’t played enough. This is what hurt us tonight,” he said.
Despite the defeat, the match against Kenya was not entirely one-sided.
The Leopards enjoyed large spells of possession, particularly in the second half, and created several openings that could have changed the outcome.
ALSO READ: CHAN 2024: Harambee Stars make history against DR Congo as Austin Odhiambo shines
However, the Kenyan defence proved resolute, snuffing out Congolese attacks with composure and tactical discipline.
The lack of clear automatisms and cutting edge in the final third was evident, another reflection of the Leopards’ disrupted preparation.
“We weren’t incisive enough. There was good ball circulation, but the execution in the attacking third lacked bite,” said a member of the Congolese technical team.
Ngoma optimistic as DR Congo regroups for remaining group matches
Despite the loss, Ngoma struck a hopeful tone as he looked ahead to the remainder of the group stage.
With three matches to play, the Congolese tactician remains confident his team can turn things around.
We’ll get back into shape as the matches go by. We only need six points to qualify, and there are still three matches to go,” he said. “I’m confident the players will bounce back quickly.”
DR Congo’s next assignment is a high-stakes encounter with Zambia on Thursday, 7 August 2025. A win is now seen as non-negotiable if the Leopards are to remain in contention for a place in the knockout stages.
Another defeat would put us on the brink of elimination,” Ngoma admitted. “We need to restore confidence in the group and go for that first victory.”
The mood in the DR Congo camp remains focused yet cautious, as the technical team prepares to implement key tactical adjustments and enhance the squad’s mental readiness in the days leading up to their crucial clash against Zambia.
Training sessions will emphasize quicker transitions, improved finishing, and more disciplined defensive organization.