Blow for DR Congo as Anderlecht midfielder ruled out of AFCON | OneFootball

DR Congo have been dealt a blow ahead of AFCON with Anderlecht midfielder Mario Stroeykens set to miss the tournament. Stroeykens had been set to join up with the Leopards and potentially make his AFCON debut in Morocco but will now miss a number of weeks due to a knee injury that he sustained during the sides victory over Sint Truiden. Stroeykens is set to be out of action for four to six weeks, who will also miss games for Anderlecht in that tie.

The 21-year-old Stroeykens, who had been linked with a move away from Belgium for some time, has slowly been working his way back from injuries. Last season Stroeykens scored five goals and grabbed six assists in 39 games for Anderlecht. As a teenager he put up six and six in 40 games.

In place of Stroeykens, the DRC have called up former Chelsea youngster now senior pro Gael Kakuta. the 34-year-old veteran is currently playing in the Turkish second tier with Sakaryaspor. Kakuta had been playing for Amiens in Ligue 1 in recent seasons before a brief spell in Iran with giants Esteghlal FC. He joins a DR Congo side that could be dark horses to lift the AFCON trophy for the third time.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson