The Democratic Republic of Congo unveiled its squad list on Monday for the Africa Cup of Nations (December 21 - January 18) in Morocco. Yoane Wissa, sidelined since the start of the season with a knee injury, was not selected, unlike Chancel Mbemba and Cédric Bakambu.

Yoane Wissa will not participate in the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco (December 21 - January 18). The 29-year-old striker was not included in the 26-man squad announced Monday by the Democratic Republic of Congo. The former Lorient player injured his knee against Senegal (2-3) on September 9, a few days after leaving Brentford for Newcastle for over €63 million. He has not played since, neither for the Magpies – he has not made a single appearance – nor for his national team. While he recently resumed training, this was not enough for the DR Congo coaching staff, who have retained the squad that qualified for the intercontinental playoffs for the World Cup.

Another absentee from Frenchman Sébastien Desarbre's squad is Warren Bondo. The 22-year-old midfielder, on loan from AC Milan to Cremonese, recently opted to represent the Democratic Republic of Congo . Other players left out include Dimitry Bertaud and Dylan Batubinsika (Saint-Étienne).

Lille players Mbemba and Mukau selected

Other midfielders were preferred, such as former Nantes player Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), and Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille). Mukau's teammate Chancel Mbemba is also on the list, as is Cedric Bakambu. Other Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 players include Le Havre goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi and Montpellier midfielder Nathanaël Mbuku. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland), and Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley) will also be included.

The Congolese will compete in Group D and will play their first match against Benin in Rabat on December 23. They will also face Botswana and Senegal in their group.

The list of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liège), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre).

Defenders: Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian), Gédéon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Legia Warsaw), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham).

Midfielders: Théo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Michel-Ange Balikwisha (Glasgow Celtic), Brian Cipenga (Castellón), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanaël Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht).

Forwards: Cédric Bakambu (Betis), Simon Banza (Al-Jazira), Samuel Essende (Augsburg), Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids).