Six footballers from Belgium to play for DRC in Africa Cup

Democratic Republic of Congo's head coach Florent Ibenge has high hopes for his team to go far in the 30th African Cup of Nations this year in Equatorial Guinea. The DR Congo national team has plucked six players away from Belgian Jupiler Pro League teams for the tournament. Anderlecht, Charleroi, Genk and Cercle Brugge will all have to miss some of their players for the three week-long Africa Cup. Ibenge is counting on the Belgian league players to compete in the group against Zambia, Cape Verde and Tunisia, Sporza reports.

For several weeks, Anderlecht will give up its defensive mainstay, Chancel Mbemba (pictured), as well as reserve goalkeeper Nicaise Kudimbana. Charleroi will provide the DRC team with goalkeeper Parfait Mandanda and striker Neeskens Kebano, while Genk will have to do without Hervé Kage and Cercle without Junior Kabananga.

Leading the Congolese team in the offense is former Standard and Anderlecht player Dieumerci Mbokani.