DR Congo name Kevin Pedro for 2027 AFCON qualifiers

DR Congo have included Kevin Pedro, Jorthy Mokio and Junior Kadile in the squad for the opening rounds of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The selection marks a chance for the three players to join the Leopards’ plans as coach Sébastien Desabre reshapes his group after the team’s World Cup elimination by England in the last 16.

Desabre has divided the squad between two training periods. The first runs from September 21 to 29, while the second is scheduled for September 28 to October 6. DR Congo will play Equatorial Guinea on September 24 and Zimbabwe on September 28 in the qualifying programme. Two friendlies against Uganda follow on October 2 and October 5.

Mokio is included despite already having one senior appearance for Belgium, while Kadile joins from Lens. The wider selection also features Willy Kambwala, a France youth international, and Jordy Makengo, another new option in defence. Stanis Idumbo, Ezechiel Banzuzi, Noah Mbamba, Stephy Mavididi and Anthony Musaba are among the other players named across the two groups. Kevin Pedro is listed among the defenders in the squad announcement, while the database identifies Kevin as a 23-year-old Brazilian left winger with Fulham.