They have not played at every edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, but the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are one of those sides at AFCON 2017 with a rich history at the tournament.
The 1968 and 1974 winners will be aiming at going to the finals again for the first time since their last triumph.
And with Florent Ibenge as one of the few local coaches who will be aiming for the finals in Gabon, DRC have already named a 31-man provisional squad to help and reclaim the glory days.
As former captain and Hull City striker Dieumerci Mbokani is named in the squad, the main absentee is Everton winger Yannick Bolasie who is nursing a knee injury that ruled him out.
The other that comes in with European experience is Bournemouth’s 23 year old striker Benik Afobe who switched allegiance to the Leopards having played for England Under-21 but will feature for his adopted country.
The group is dominated by European based players with few local players getting a nod, TP Mazembe is enjoying the lion’s share with the locally based players. DR Congo have been pooled in Group C alongside Morocco, Ivory Coast and Togo.
Provisional squad
Goalkeepers: Nicaise Mulopo Kudimbana (Royal Antwerp, Belgium), Ley Matampi (TP Mazembe), Joel Kiassumbua (FC Wohlen, Switzerland)
Defenders: Chancel Mbemba (Newcastle, England), Gabriel Zakuani (Northampton Town, England), Issama Mpeko (Kabuscorp, Angola), Joyce Lomalisa (Vita Club), Vital N’Simba (Bourg-Péronnas, France), Fabrice N’Sakala (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Chris Luyindama and Merveille Bope (TP Mazembe), Jordan Ikoko (Guingamp, France), Marcel Tisserand (Ingolstadt, Germany)
Midfielders: Youssouf Mulumbu (Norwich, England), Neeskens Kebano (Fulham, England), Rémy Mulumba (Ajaccio, France), Hervé Kage (Kortrijk, Belgium), Jacques Maghoma (Birmingham City, England), Paul-José M’Poku (Panathinaikos, Greece), Jonathan Bijimine (Cordoba, Spain), Wilson Kamavuaka (Panetolikos, Greece)
Forwards: Cédric Bakambu (Villarreal, Spain), Dieumerci Mbokani (Hull City, England), Benik Afobe (Bournemouth, England), Firmin Mubele Ndombe (Vita Club), Junior Kabananga (Astana, Kazakhstan), Jordan Botaka (Charlton Athletic, England), Meschack Elia and Jonathan Bolingi (TP Mazembe), Ricky Tulengi (DCMP), Jeremy Bokila (Al-Kharitiyath, Qatar)
