Sébastien Desabre reveals why Cédric Bakambu was left out of the squad for the international break

The absence of the DR Congo international striker from the squad announced on 11 September for the first two matchdays of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers had caused some confusion.

But at a press conference on Friday 18 September, Sébastien Desabre provided an explanation. The reason the 35-year-old striker was not selected to face Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe in the first two matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers is due to his recent transfer to San Diego FC in the United States.

Sébastien Desabre believes that Cédric Bakambu’s integration into his new club is currently a priority.

“Cédric signed for his club late in the day, but the Bakambu era with the national team is not over. It will be up to him to decide whether or not there will be an end to it.

Settling in at his new club is important, particularly given the current health situation. We have discussed this with him. He needs to adapt to his new club so that he can be ready to play for the national team again in the future.”