TANZANIA’s national soccer team, Taifa Stars, will face DR Congo in next month's pivotal 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers, with their opponents announcing a 25-man squad for the doubleheader.

These two crucial matches will take place following Tanzania’s four-point haul during the last FIFA international break, with a goalless home draw against Ethiopia and a 2-1 victory over Guinea.

The Taifa Stars will first travel to DR Congo on October 10, before hosting them in Dar es Salaam five days later. 

DR Congo head coach Sebastien Desabre has placed his faith in the same squad he used in September against Guinea and Ethiopia, making only two changes due to injuries. 

Yoane Wissa and Ngal'ayel Mukau were replaced by Silas Katompa and William Balikwisha, who return to the national team.

Former Young Africans and Simba SC stars, striker Fiston Mayele (pictured) and center-back Inonga Baka, have been called up, highlighting a squad composed entirely of foreign-based players. 

This star-studded lineup reflects DR Congo’s determination to secure their place in the AFCON tournament.

Tanzania and DR Congo are no strangers to one another, having shared a group in the last AFCON finals earlier this year. The teams will also compete against each other in the upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, adding even more significance to these encounters.

Taifa Stars will wrap up their AFCON qualifying campaign in November. They will first travel to Ethiopia on November 11 to face the Walia, before concluding their group stage matches at home against Guinea on November 15. 

Tanzania aims to qualify for back-to-back AFCON finals for the first time in their history, having appeared in the last tournament held in Ivory Coast.

The 2025 AFCON will take place in Morocco, marking the second time the country has hosted the tournament, the last being in 1988. Matches will be held across six cities, including Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech. 

Morocco was selected after Guinea was stripped of its hosting rights due to a lack of preparation.

The DR Congo full squad: 

Goalkeepers: Dimitry Bertaud (Montpellier, France), Timothy Fayulu (Sion, Switzerland) and Lionel Mpasi (Rodez, France).

Defenders: Gedeon Kalulu (Lorient, France), Axel Tuanzebe (Ipswich Town, England), Joris Kayembe (Genk, Belgium), Arthur Masuaku (Besiktas, Turkey), Dylan Batubinsika (Saint-Etienne, France), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian, Scotland), Inonga Baka (FAR Rabat, Morocco) and Chancel Mbemba (Olympique Marseille, France)

Midfielders: Edo Kayembe (Watford. England), Charles Pickel (Cremonese, Italy), Samuel Moutoussamy (Sivaspor, Turkey), Noah Sadiki (Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium), William Balikwisha (OH Leuven, Belgium), Gael Kakuta (Esteghlal, Iran), Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Nathanaël Mbuku (Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia), Chadrac Akolo (St Gallen, Switzerland) and Meschack Elia (Young Boys, Switzerland).

Forwards: Simon Banza (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Samuel Essende (Augsburg, Germany), Silas Katompa (Red Belgrade, Serbia), Kalala Mayele (Pyramids, Egypt).