Team Profile: The DRC Leopards arrive in Dakar for AfroBasket qualifiers, aiming to secure their tickets to FIBA Afrobasket 2025. Led by veterans Rolly Fula and Malela Mutuale, alongside rising stars like Franck Nyembo, Coach Michel Perrin's squad balances present stars with their future ambitions.
Last Updated on
November 19, 2024
Despite being placed in one of the most competitive pools in the qualifiers, the Congolese squad enters the qualifiers with high hopes. Ranked 78th globally, they are the lowest-ranked team in their group, scheduled to face off tough opponents such as Morocco, Mali, and South Sudan.
The Group A team has recruited several top prospects, many of whom are making notable progress internationally. With such blossoming talent at their ready to take the next up, The Congolese Federation has put together a side that is a well-rounded mix of youth and experience, athleticism and skill, speed and size.
Although this is not the final team, Coach Michel Perrin will announce the final 12 before Friday. That said, we know that Rolly Fula has been an integral part of this team since they won the AFROCAN in 2022. Rolly Fula, who boasts an impressive career on the continent, will lead the team alongside veteran Malela Mutuale.
Fula has already competed twice in the Basketball Africa League with Espoir Fukash and Bangui Sport, where he gained recognition for his shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. The shooting guard also won the Congolese League Championship multiple times, the club championship in the Central African Republic and the Rwandan Basketball League (RBL) in 2023 with APR BBC.
On the opposite end of the spectrum are youngsters like Akim Nkibisaka (19), Toto Cuma (18), and Franck Nyembo (18). Franck Nyembo, the youngest player on the team, was named the best center for the national champions, Chaux Sport. He is a tenacious rebounder who spends much of his time above the rim and is sure to dazzle the crowd with some highlights.
Franck also performed well in Abidjan with Chaux Sport at the Elite 16 West Division, averaging 13 points and 10.4 rebounds. Toto Cuma, a teammate of Franck Nyembo at Chaux Sport, has similarly benefited from the experience he gained at the Elite 16. The teenager is a sharpshooter and a "problematic" defender to shake off. His defensive abilities are likely to be something Coach Perrin will rely on.
Alongside him will be Florent Thamba, who plays for French Pro B club ADA Blois. In his young yet illustrious career, he played for Baylor in the D1 in America, where he had a good run in the Big 12. He played in Venezuela and Sweden before landing in France. The 25-year-old’s footwork and dominance in the low block will be something the Leopards will rely on.
Head coach Michel Perrin has assembled this team with a vision for the future and not just for the games in Dakar. He has found the balance in competing now while preparing for future competitions. He plans to make DRC an African powerhouse and bring back past glory to the nation.
He has an experienced coaching staff with Pierrot Ilunga, who is known for his player management skills and savant-like mind. The Congolese side will play their first qualifier on Friday against Mali, with a close eye on South Sudan and Morocco, who face off against each other on the same Gameday.
[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FIBA and Baylor University]
