Dylan Batubinsika, defender of AS Saint-Étienne and member of the Congolese national team, remains determined despite a difficult season. As the key matches approach to ensure the maintenance and a few months from the next African Cup of Nations (CAN), the Stéphanois player expresses his ambitions. In an interview given to RFI before the derby against Olympique Lyonnais, Batubinsika did not chew his words to describe the importance of this match: “A derby is a crucial appointment for the green people. We have one of the best audiences in France, if not the best… We would have liked to fight for another position in the standings, but now we have to answer present. We have five games left to give everything.”

Over the past few weeks, Batubinsika has been lucid about his personal situation: “It’s not easy because I’m a competitor, I want to play. But I’m aware that my individual performance has not been up to date. I pay the consequences today, but I’m not hiding.” A statement that illustrates the player’s state of mind, determined to fight to the end for AS Saint-Étienne: “I must work to be better in the future.”

If he saw a more contrasting period in the club, Dylan Batubinsika saw a beautiful adventure in selection with the Democratic Republic of Congo, which he joined in 2023. After reaching the semifinals of CAN 2024, the DRC has high ambitions for the upcoming edition in Morocco: “We want to go to the end. That’s the coach’s message, and that’s what we say.” The DRC has gone well to pick up its ticket for the 2026 World Cup. “We may have that opportunity only once in our career. We’re all aware of this. This would allow us to arrive at the CAN with a light spirit. But it’s obviously a dream to go to the United States in 2026.” Until then, it was with the AS Saint-Étienne that Dylan Batubinsika first wanted to fulfill his mission: to keep the Greens in League 1. Source: RFI