Sébastien Desabre looked beyond the results after the Democratic Republic of the Congo completed its two-match friendly series against Uganda in Johannesburg. The Leopards drew 1–1 in the second game after losing 0–2 in the opener, but the French coach focused on the lessons his squad gained during the training camp.
Desabre used the two matches to assess several players and give newcomers valuable international experience. With national teams enjoying only limited friendly windows, the coach viewed the camp as a rare opportunity to evaluate his options without prioritizing tactical systems or results. “It was truly a chance to assess the players. It’s the only opportunity we have,” he explained, defending the frequent changes to his lineup.
The coach also accepted the risks that came with such an experimental approach. “We learned a lot this week, whether positive or less positive. But we knew why we were there,” he said. Desabre also protected the less experienced players who faced Uganda, stressing that the staff expected difficult moments for players making their international debuts.
For the Leopards, the camp provided valuable information ahead of the upcoming competitive fixtures.
