The DRC is bidding to stage the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), the country's sports minister Baudouin Banza Mukalay Nsungu revealed on Thursday.
"The DRC is an applicant for the candidates (to host) the 2019 Afcon tournament," Banza Mukalay said. "I put the dossier into the hands of the Fecofa [Congolese football federation], which has already passed it onto CAF [the Confederation of African Football].
"We await the specifications, which we will fill calmly," added the sports minister.
The competition would effectively be held at two venues, in the Congolese capital Kinshasa and the southeastern city of Lumbumbashi.
However, Banza Mukalay said a stadium in the western city of Matadi would also be ready for the 2019 showpiece, while Kisangani in the north east of the country could also stage matches.
Afcon 2013
CAF recently lauded South Africa's hosting of Afcon 2013, congratulating the country's quick organisation and the event's record ticket sales.
"We are tremendously happy with the outcome. We had certain expectations and the LOC [Local Organising Committee] exceeded those expectations," said Confederation of African Football (CAF) secretary general Hicham El Amrani. Nigeria beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final in Soweto's Soccer City on Sunday.
South Africa jumped in to organise the Cup in under a year after political upheaval prevented Libya from hosting. CAF congratulated the country for "making it happen in such a short time", said El Amrani. "Having in total 857 000 tickets given or sold is a tremendous achievement," he added.
"South Africa has set a benchmark in the history of the tournament since it started. Morocco now will have to do beter," he added, setting the bar for the hosts of the next event in 2015. He slammed critics of poor attendance at some games. –Sapa, AFP