Anderlecht’s Mario Stroeykens. Photo by Johan Eyckens/Belga/Shutterstock (16011633an)
Friday Dec 19, 2025. 13:00
Mario Stroeykens’ hopes of making his DR Congo debut at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have been dashed after he sustained a knee injury just eight days before kick-off in Morocco.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder, who represented Belgium at youth level, was granted approval to switch his allegiance to the Leopards on November 14 after being called up for their 2026 World Cup playoff tie against Nigeria.
Stroeykens was an unused substitute as Sebastien Desabre’s side beat the Super Eagles 4-3 on penalties in the CAF qualifying final, although he still made the 26-man squad for the African showpiece.
However, the Anderlecht youngster has now been ruled out of AFCON as a result of the injury he picked up in the 2-1 win over Sint-Truiden on Saturday.
The Belgian giants announced that Stroeykens will be sidelined for “four to six weeks”, leading to his withdrawal from Desabre’s squad and Gael Kakuta has subsequently been called up as his replacement.
DR Congo will get their AFCON campaign underway against Benin on December 23 before also taking on Senegal and Botswana in Group D.