DR Congo will intensify their final build-up to the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) with a two-phase camp that culminates in a high-profile friendly against hosts Algeria. After assembling in Kinshasa from July 16-20, head coach Otis Ngoma will lead a 36-man home-based squad to Algeria for the decisive stretch of preparations scheduled for July 21-30. With CHAN 2024 kicking off on August 2 across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, the timing gives the Leopards an ideal competitive rehearsal window.
The Algeria leg is more than conditioning; it is a live tactical laboratory. Facing one of the continent’s strongest national set-ups backed by passionate home support should stress-test DR Congo’s defensive compactness, pressing triggers and in-possession combinations under match pressure. Technical staff members have underscored the importance of gauging tempo, decision-making and set-piece execution against elite opposition just days before Group A play begins.
Group A has already been dubbed the “Group of Death.” DR Congo must navigate co-hosts Kenya, continental heavyweights Morocco, and the robust, well-drilled sides of Angola and Zambia. Sharp tactical clarity, game-specific match plans and squad cohesion will be non-negotiable if the Leopards are to progress.
Qualification offered encouraging signs. DR Congo eliminated Chad over two legs, drawing 1-1 away and finishing the job 3-1 at home, showing both resilience on the road and attacking control in front of their supporters. Ngoma’s roster draws deeply from domestic powerhouses TP Mazembe, AS Maniema Union, FC Lupopo, AC Rangers and others ensuring familiarity in player connections and a competitive training environment where places must be earned.
The nation’s CHAN pedigree is proven: titles in 2009 and 2016 established DR Congo as one of the tournament’s standard-bearers. Missing the 2022 edition has only increased the hunger to reassert continental authority. The upcoming Algeria friendly will help finalize roles, cement chemistry and identify any late adjustments before the squad heads to East Africa. Execute the lessons learned in Algiers, and the Leopards could arrive at CHAN 2024 primed to chase a record-extending third championship.
Beyond match rhythm, the Algeria stint provides climate acclimatization, controlled double-session workloads, and closed-door scenario training penalties, red-card contingencies, and late-game chase patterns among them. Sports science staff will track recovery markers to balance volume with freshness, while leadership workshops and video review blocks give emerging players a chance to assume responsibilities normally handled by established internationals. If the group responds well, final roster choices could tighten, driving competition that sharpens standards.
