Sébastien Desabre, the head coach of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has witnessed firsthand the remarkable evolution of African football in recent years.
Speaking on the sidelines of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2023 Coaches Symposium in Abidjan, Desabre expressed his admiration for how the game on the continent has developed.
For him, this transformation is clear not only in the players’ performance on the pitch but also in their mentality and how football is approached overall.
Desabre has been at the helm of the Leopards for two years, guiding them to a fourth-place finish at the last Africa Cup of Nations and currently leading them on a six-match unbeaten streak in the qualifying stages of the upcoming AFCON.
Reflecting on his journey with the DRC national team, he attributes much of their success to creating a professional and transparent environment for the players.
According to Desabre, the team’s close-knit relationship with the Ministry and the Federation allows for smooth operations, with a clear focus on continuous improvement.
After each training camp, detailed reports are produced, assessing areas for growth and refinement. It is this meticulous approach that has kept the team moving forward, always striving to be better with each session.
While the Leopards’ unbeaten streak in the qualifiers is impressive, Desabre remains level-headed. He acknowledges that these statistics are encouraging for fans and the media, but for him and his team, the focus is always on the next match.
Football, especially at the international level, moves at an incredible pace, and the key to sustained success lies in never becoming complacent.
The coach’s mindset is clear: every game is a new challenge, and the goal is always to win, no matter the previous results.
Having begun his coaching career in 2006, Desabre has seen the game evolve in many ways. One of the biggest changes he has observed is the mentality of the players, which he attributes partly to the rise of social media.
The way players interact, engage with fans, and even manage their personal brands is vastly different from when he first started coaching. This shift has required coaches to adapt not only in terms of tactics but also in how they manage their squads on a personal level.
For Desabre, football has undergone a major evolution on the continent. His perception of the game is very different now compared to when he began his career.
He recalls making mistakes in his early days as a coach, but rather than seeing these as setbacks, he views them as valuable learning experiences that have shaped his understanding of the game.
Desabre’s journey in African football began with ASEC Mimosa in Côte d’Ivoire, a place that holds special memories for him. Returning to Abidjan for the Coaches Symposium brought back nostalgia, as he recalled the time he spent in the country with his young family.
For Desabre, being back in Côte d’Ivoire is a reminder of his long-standing connection with African football, and his current role with the DRC feels like a natural continuation of the work he began all those years ago.
His time on the continent has been a key asset in his coaching career, giving him a deeper understanding of the African game and allowing him to forge a strong bond with the players and fans.
One of the aspects Desabre enjoys most about his job is the tactical and technical preparation that comes with training. He relishes the opportunity to devise strategies and see them play out on the field.
For him, football is a game of constant adjustments. If something doesn’t work during a match, it’s essential to adapt quickly. The satisfaction he derives from seeing a well-executed plan come to life on the pitch is one of the greatest rewards of being a coach.
However, Desabre is also acutely aware of the pressures that come with his role. In many African countries, the national football coach is one of the most visible figures, second only to the president.
This public exposure comes with high expectations and significant pressure. Desabre accepts that things won’t always go according to plan, but he believes the key to handling the burden is to give everything to the job.
That way, even when things go wrong, there are no regrets. It’s this level of commitment that drives him, ensuring he is always 150% involved in his role, ready to face whatever challenges come his way.
Ultimately, Sébastien Desabre’s reflections on African football speak to the rapid development and increasing professionalism within the sport.
His time in Africa, both past and present, has given him a unique perspective on its growth, and his experiences with the DRC national team illustrate the exciting potential that lies ahead for football on the continent.
