Como centre-back Willy Kambwala has left the DR Congo camp with physical problems. Fecofa has confirmed his replacement by TP Mazembe’s Magloire Ntambwe ahead of the double-header against Sierra Leone.
DR Congo international centre-back Willy Kambwala will not feature in the DR Congo’s double-header against Sierra Leone on 12 and 17 November, a qualifier for AFCON 2027. The Como player is leaving the DR Congo camp with physical problems, according to Calcio Como (calciocomo.it).
To cover for that withdrawal, head coach Sébastien Desabre has called up Magloire Ntambwe, the DR Congo international centre-back from TP Mazembe. Fecofa has confirmed Kambwala’s withdrawal and his replacement’s arrival, while wishing the Como player a speedy recovery.
Fecofa confirms, without giving details
In a statement carried by calciocomo.it, the federation clarified the situation: “The Congolese Football Federation (Fecofa) announces the withdrawal of Willy Kambwala, who will be replaced by Magloire Ntambwe of TP Mazembe. To Willy Kambwala we send our wishes for a prompt recovery.”
The exact nature of the defender’s physical problems was not specified. Only his withdrawal from the camp has been confirmed, two days before the first meeting with Sierra Leone on 12 November at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa.
Ntambwe called up to replace Kambwala
Sébastien Desabre’s choice fell on Magloire Ntambwe, the TP Mazembe centre-back, who joins the DR Congo squad.
The double-header comes in Group E, where DR Congo sit top with 6 points, ahead of Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea, who have 3 points each, according to data from heraldonline.co.zw and footballdatabase.eu.
The head coach had already named a 26-man squad for the two matches, marked by several returns, according to xsportfeed.life. Ntambwe’s arrival completes that squad, now without Kambwala, the Como player.
A favourable recent record against Sierra Leone
Against Sierra Leone, DR Congo can point to a rather favourable recent run. In the last three matches between the two national teams, they have conceded no more than one goal and scored at least once in every game, according to footballdatabase.eu.
The first leg is set for 12 November at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa. The return match, Sierra Leone v DR Congo, is scheduled for 17 November 2026.