Congo coach Cyril Ndonga has promised a different team when they kick off their Caf U23 Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Ghana at the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat on Sunday.
After being eliminated in the group stage of the African Nations Championship and losing in the quarter-finals of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations on penalties (5-4 to Tunisia), missing out on a historic qualification for the U-20 World Cup by a whisker, the Congolese team feels entrusted with a mission and has spared no effort to achieve it.
“We arrived in Moroccan territory with noble ambitions. We have been drawn into a tough group. We must fight match after match with the same determination,” Ndonga said as quoted by CafOnline, adding: “It is true our U20 team came close to a historic qualification for their category’s World Cup. We have learned from that ‘failure’. After the U20 Afcon, we decided to work more on the mental aspect. The players are well-prepared for this new challenge.”
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Congo player Prince Sousou echoed his coach’s sentiments by stating: “Our presence is not a coincidence. We know we can achieve great things. Going to the Olympics is more than a dream for all of us. Participating in the greatest sporting event on Earth will be a source of pride for our homeland. Our careers will take a new trajectory.
“However, we must not get ahead of ourselves. Tomorrow [Sunday], we face a formidable opponent, and we must remain focused and keep our objective in mind.”
This is the first time Congo is taking part in the Caf U23 Africa Cup of Nations.