DR Congo Tells Coach: Win the AFCON Title or Get Sacked

Football authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have told gaffer Florent Ibenge anything less than the Africa Cup of Nations title will be considered a failure.

A former coach of AS Vita Club and Shanghai Shenhua, Ibenge has been given the ultimatum to shine in Cairo or see himself shown the exit door.

This followed after the DR Congo FA and government became convinced of the talent at their disposal, feeling The Leopards can potentially compete with top sides for the staked prize of which Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco are being viewed as favorites.

This ultimatum was made in the immediate aftermath of the extension of Ibenge’s contract.

“We decided to sign a four-year deal with the staff of the Congolese team with the goal of winning the CAN 2019. Then we will, if it’s necessary, renew it for one or two more years,” Barthelemy Okito, DR Congo’s Secretary General for sports told a media briefing.

“If the goals of the CAN are not achieved, we will be obliged to terminate the deal,” he continued.

Florent’s reaction to the high bar set by his contractors was somewhat lukewarm.

“With players of this caliber, what can we aim at? We must not put pressure on anything. We’re going there to do our best,” the 57-year-old tactician said.

DRC reached the Nations Cup after finishing runners-up to table-toppers Zimbabwe, garnering nine points.