Chiefs star tipped to make 2026 World Cup squad after missing AFCON: ‘He should start a good chance’

Kaizer Chiefs failed to produce a player for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the North African nation of Morocco.

Bafana Bafana midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala was put in the waiting list alongside Iqraam Rayners and Thabo Moloisane but the likes of Thabiso Monyane and Brandon Petersen who were included in the provisional squad were overlooked.

Angola snubbed Inacio Miguel, while the Democratic Republic of Congo opted to do without Glody Lilepo. The latter has been out of the national team since June 2023, when he was involved in an international friendly outing against the East African nation Uganda.

The 28-year-old fell out with coach Sebastien Desabre which led to his exclusion from the national team. However, former Congolese striker Lelo Mbele believes the winger might make the World Cup squad – pending the team’s win against either Jamaica or New Caledonia on March 21, owing to his exploits at Amakhosi.

We need Lilepo back to DR Congo team

“After the disappointment of what happened at the AFCON, people here at home are putting pressure on the coach to consider more players here in Africa, who include Lilepo,” he said as quoted by Kick Off.

“The coach has shown no interest in Congolese players not attached to clubs in Europe, except for Fiston Mayele. However, he needs to cast his net wider now that we are so close to qualifying for the World Cup.

“The coach is being pushed to consider players like Lilepo, should they be performing at their clubs,” the ex-attacker concluded.

“I take an interest in Lilepo because I played in South Africa and know the value of the league. The PSL is a strong league, and if Lilepo is at the top of his game, then he should stand just as good a chance of being in the national team instead of being overlooked just because he plays in Africa.

Unfortunately, there has been an impression created by the coach that Lilepo is playing in an inferior league, yet the South African PSL is a high-quality league. I know so because I played there.

“Just like every other Congolese eligible, we need Lilepo back in the national team because he gives the team good energy,” argues Mbele, who had stints with Zulu Royals and Orlando Pirates,” Mbele concluded.