Congo DR has reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals without a win in normal time and will face Guinea on Friday at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
The Leopards beat Egypt, a team with seven titles, in the round of 16, while Syli National stopped their losing streak by overcoming Equatorial Guinea in their first knockout match.
Match preview
DRC hasn’t won a match in Cote d’Ivoire yet but has made it to the quarter-finals by beating Egypt, who also didn’t win in normal time, through penalties.
Lionel M’Pasi became a hero for Sebastien Desabre’s team by scoring a penalty after Egypt’s goalkeeper missed in the sudden-death rounds.
This victory marks the Leopards’ first knockout win since 2015 when they reached the semi-finals and finished third.
However, relying too much on extra time and penalties might not help them go far, even though Egypt succeeded with this strategy in the previous tournament.
The Leopards are looking for their first win in a knockout stage since beating Congo 4-2 in the 2015 quarter-finals.
Guinea, on the other hand, won their last game with a late goal from Mohamed Bayo, breaking their long-standing record of not winning in the knockout stages.
They moved forward as the best third-placed team and are now the only team from Group C left after Senegal and Cameroon were knocked out.
After breaking their knockout stage curse, Guinea aims for the semi-finals and hopes to score more in their upcoming match to avoid being eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Congo DR Africa Cup of Nations form: D D D W
Congo DR form (all competitions): D L D D D W
Guinea Africa Cup of Nations form: D W L W
Guinea form (all competitions): L W D W L W
Team News
Edo Kayembe has been absent from all DRC matches, and his participation in the quarter-finals is uncertain.
Gael Kakuta missed the last game but might return for the upcoming match.
Yoane Wissa and Cedric Bakambu have yet to perform well, with Bakambu missing a penalty in the group stage.
Guinea has had fitness concerns with Naby Keita and Serhou Guirassy, affecting their attacking strength.
Ilaix Moriba is doubtful after an injury, missing the last match, which may lead Diawara to adjust the team formation to 4-2-3-1, bringing back top players for the quarter-finals.
Possible starting lineups:
Congo DR: (4-2-3-1)
M’Pasi;
Kalulu, Mbemba, Batubinsika, Masuaku;
Pickel, Moutoussamy;
Bongonda, Kakuta, Wissa;
Bakambu
Guinea: (4-2-3-1)
Kone;
Diakite, Diakhaby, Jeanvier, Sylla;
Konate, Diawara;
Guilavogui, Keita, Sylla;
Guirassy
Prediction: Congo DR 1-0 Guinea
This match could be tight, with both teams having scored three goals so far. A single goal might separate them, with DRC potentially securing a narrow victory over Guinea.
