The Democratic Republic of Congo national team has announced its 26-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, with the absence of striker Joan Visa being the most notable point of interest.

The 29-year-old international has been sidelined for Newcastle United since suffering a knee injury in October, and despite resuming training, he has been excluded from the final squad.

Visa suffered a knee injury while on international duty and has yet to make an appearance for Newcastle United since transferring from Brentford at the start of the Premier League season. However, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe recently revealed that Visa participated in the team's 11-on-11 training match against Everton and will continue to be tested for fitness this week.

Despite positive signs of recovery, Congolese national team coach Sebastien Desabre ultimately decided not to take the risk and excluded Visa from the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco this month.

Congo has been placed in Group D, with their first match against Benin scheduled for December 23 in Rabat. Other teams in the group include Botswana and Senegal. Débre's choice is seen as a solid and conservative strategy, aiming to rely on a well-established squad to secure qualification from the group stage.

The team is in high spirits recently. Last month, they narrowly defeated Nigeria in a penalty shootout in Morocco, securing their place in the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico next March. They will then compete for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup against either New Caledonia or Jamaica.