Preparations in full swing: DR Congo eye 12 reinforcements for their WC squad

DR Congo has qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1974 (then under the name Zaire), but if anyone thought they'd be satisfied with mere participation, they were terribly wrong.

Despite the tough group alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan, the Leopards' ambitions are much higher than that, and they have a plan for how to achieve them.

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Namely, the Congolese Association Football Federation (FECOFA) has allegedly eyed as many as 12 eligible players, who could be a massive reinforcement for Sebastien Desabre's current squad and an ideal addition to the Leopards' established stars like Yoane Wissa, Cedric Bakambu, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, and others.

The Congolese primary target is the talented Paris Saint-Germain midfielder and scorer in the previous Champions League final, Senny Mayulu. Even though he was born in France and has played for Les Blues youth teams, the FECOFA representatives are reportedly in negotiations with the 19-year-old over switching national teams.

Apart from him, the list includes five defenders, three midfielders, and as many forwards.

Among the back-line additions, the Leopards' priorities are Bradley Locko of Brest, ex-Man United and current Villarreal player Willy Kambwala, Marc Bola of Watford, El Chadaille Bitshiabu of RB Leipzig, and Freiburg's Jordy Makengo.

In midfield, the Congolese count on Monza loanee at Cremonese Warren Bondo, another RB Leipzig prospect Ezechiel Banzuzi, and Antoni Milambo, who recently joined Premier League side Brentford from Dutch club Feyenoord.

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Finally, the attacking targets have the greatest potential, as the Leopards have eyed three prominent names in European football: Arnaud Kalimuendo (Eintracht Frankfurt), Samuel Mbangula (Werder Bremen), and Dilane Bakwa (Nottingham Forest).

Regardless of how many (or which) players decide to accept DR Congo's call-up, their squad will be much stronger.

Some would argue this is unfair to the players who carried the qualifiers and secured the World Cup ticket, as some of them would have to lose their seats on the plane to the USA, Canada, and Mexico, but the Congolese do not seem to care.

After all, the end justifies the means. Some sacrifices have to be made. That's the price of success.