Claude Leroy will begin start camping his team from next week

Ghana’s group opponents DR Congo are the first country to name their provisional 25-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. 

Coach Claude Leroy’s squad includes striker Tresor Mputu, who is one of six TP Mazembe players to make the provisional list.

There are few foreign-based players in the provisional list with the rest of the Europe-based players expected to be named in the team early next month.

The Leopards will begin camping in the South African city of Port Elizabeth from 10th -20th December before the squad is whittled down.

DR Congo are drawn in Group B alongside Ghana, Mali and Niger will begin feverish preparations for the tournament being hosted in South Africa by pitching camp in Port Elizabeth.

The team will then shift their camping base to Oman in January where the foreign players will join in before the final squad is named days before the competition kicks off on January 19.

The Congolese hope to make a strong impact on their return to the Nations Cup after missing the three previous editions in Ghana, Angola and Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

They however face a stern test in Group B in particular against Ghana and Mali while Niger also provides a subtle threat.

The Leopards will open their campaign against the Black Stars at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on January 20.

DR Congo’s provisional squad: 

Robert Muteba Kidiaba (TP Mazembe), Bakala Landu (FC MK), Dibuluna Guelord (DCMP), Issama Mpeko (AS V. Club), Kasusula Kiritsho (TP Mazembe), Ebunga Simbi (VClub), Bangala Litombo Yannick (DCMP), Ilunga Mabila (CS Don Bosco), Lema Mabidi (AS V. Club), Kazadi Mutombo (AS V. Club), Kasereka Thierry (AS V. Club), Treasury Mputu Mabi (TP Mazembe), A Deo Kanda Mukok (TP Mazembe), Ndonga Hervé (TP Mazembe), Manzia Budget (Shark XI), Mulenda wa Kalenga (Lubumbashi Sport), Mayele Vivien (AC Rangers), Mukenga Mukendi (DCMP), Botayi Bamoto Pierre (AS V. Club), Kisombe Mankutima (DCMP), Lusiela control (AC Foyo), Kabangu Mulota (TP Mazembe), Mbala Mbuta Rusk (FC Winterthur / Switzerland), Luvumbu Nzinga (Rojulu) and Makondele Rene (BK Hachen / Sweden).