The Democratic Republic of Congo are to employ a foreign coach in the next weeks but officials are keeping his identity close to their chest.

The president of the country's FA, Kurara Mpova, confirmed the news in an interview with the Kinshasa newspaper 'L'Eveil'.

He said that while a new coach for the Simbas had been decided, his identity would only be revealed at a forthcoming press conference.

He did not give any planned date for the announcement but it is expected in the next weeks, as the team start to prepare for their next African Nations Cup qualifier away against Swaziland on 30 March.

The Simbas are doing well in the Nations Cup qualifying group having easily beaten Botswana 2-0 in their opening match.

Last year DR Congo hired the Dutchman Martin Kooiman to take over their side but he left the country soon after without getting near a training field.

The last foreign-born coach of the Simbas was Malian Mohamed Magassouba, who has worked in Kinshasa for more than a decade.

The last coach brought from Europe was Muhsin Ertugral, a Turkish-born coach who was fired after just one match during the 1996 African Nations Cup finals.

This week the federation named a list of 32 players picked for a preliminary squad but did not include any of the country's major stars overseas, who are only expected to be added later.

The list of 32 features just three foreign-based players - two based in Cameroon at Union Douala and Benjamin Lazo who plays for FC Bramois in the lower reaches of the Swiss league.