The squad consists of 25 players, including three Belgian under-21 internationals, as they prepare to face Cameroon on November 13 at the El Barid Stadium in Rabat during the semi-finals of the four-team playoff, with the victor set to play either Gabon or Nigeria in the final in the Moroccan capital four days later.

The Belgian contingent features attacking midfielder Mario Stroeykens, who, at 21, has already taken on the captaincy of Brussels giants Anderlecht; winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who plays for Celtic in Scotland; and goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo from Standard Liège, who just last month was on the bench for Belgium’s under-21 squad.

Brian Cipenga from the Spanish club Castellón retains his position after being called up to the Leopards squad last month as a late replacement due to an injury. He earned his first cap as a substitute during the 1-0 victory over Sudan in Kinshasa on October 14.

All players who participated in the victories over Togo (1-0 away on October 10) and Sudan are back for the playoffs, but the Congolese squad is still missing Yoane Wissa, who sustained a Posterior Cruciate Ligament injury during their significant match against Senegal in September.

Dropping from the squad selected for the last two Group B encounters in October are goalkeeper Dimitri Bertaud, defender Dylan Batubinsika, midfielder Grady Diangana, and strikers Jackson Muleka and Afimico Pululu.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege, Belgium), Timothy Fayulu (Noah, Armenia), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre, France)

Defenders: Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian, Scotland), Gédéon Kalulu (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Steve Kapuadi (Legia Warsaw, Poland), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk, Belgium), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland, England), Chancel Mbemba (Olympique de Marseille, France), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley, England), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United, England)

Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Michel-Ange Balikwisha (Glasgow Celtic, Scotland), Edo Kayembe (Watford, England), Nathanaël Mbuku (Montpellier, France), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos, Greece), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille, France), Charles Pickel (Espanyol, Spain), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland, England), Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht, Belgium)

Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis, Spain), Samuel Essende (Augsburg, Germany), Brian Cipenga (Castellón, Spain), Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids, Egypt).