"We're going into the competition with a two-fold objective: to go as far as possible and continue to work on renewing our squad," Desabre noted.
In his previous appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, Sebastien Desabre was in charge of the Uganda Cranes, guiding them from group stages to the Round of 16 in the 2019 Egypt edition.
The Frenchman has returned to the AFCON finals with the Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo), hoping to guide them as far as possible.
![](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/27062023/48639663-d5bd-4ef5-a2bc-2c87af3a7294.jpeg?operations=fit(480:))
The 47-year-old revealed he is in a rebuilding phase with the team but also added he intended to have them play till the latter stages of the Cote D'Ivoire edition.
"We're in a rebuilding phase. But we want to rebuild and perform at the same time," Desabre told CAF media.
![AFCON 2023: Daunting task for Tanzania as they take on giants Morocco](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/17012024/30164c9c-80b9-4261-8036-fff781552cd8.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
10:05 - 17.01.2024
AFCON 2023: Daunting task for Tanzania as they take on giants Morocco
Adel Amrouche and his team are the only East African team at the AFCON and will hope to fend off opposition from the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists.
"Our plan was to go to the AFCON 2025, given our poor showing in the AFCON qualifiers. But here we are," he added.
DRC, who are two-time champions, take on 2012 winners Zambia later on Wednesday at the Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro.
As one of the five teams making their comeback after missing the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Congo will be keen to make an impact this time around.
![SHOCKING: Moses Waiswa returns to Vipers](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/16012024/92886848-4fe6-40c7-875d-3d1b8124c6a5.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
13:39 - 16.01.2024
DONE DEAL SHOCKING: Moses Waiswa returns to Vipers
After five years away, the Uganda Cranes attacking midfielder has returned to the St Mary's Stadium, Kitende.
"We're going into the competition with a two-fold objective: to go as far as possible and continue to work on renewing our squad," Desabre noted.
On the other hand, Zambia are making an appearance in the AFCON finals for the first time since 2015, after topping group H in qualification over tournament hosts Ivory Coast.
![AFCON 2023: Nigeria's Jay Jay Okocha urges Salah to speak to Egypt boss on his best position](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/13012024/967a93bc-7dff-4325-866a-75cb16e3fd58.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
10:08 - 17.01.2024
AFCON 2023: Nigeria's Jay Jay Okocha urges Salah to speak to Egypt boss on his best position
Austin Jay Jay Okocha wants to see Mohamed Salah on his favourite position despite the Liverpool icon's one goal and assist in Egypt's opener against Mozambique.
With former Chelsea manager Avram Grant now in the dugout, they have a boss with solid experience in this tournament, having led Ghana to the final and a fourth-place finish in 2015 and 2017, respectively.