AFCON Qualifier: Congo DR vs Tanzania Preview

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo DR) is set to resume its campaign in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, facing Tanzania at the Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecote on Thursday. Football enthusiasts anticipate this clash as both teams aim to solidify their standings in the qualifying rounds.

Congo DR, often referred to as the Leopards, has made an impressive start in the qualifiers, securing back-to-back victories in their opening matches. Notably, they defeated Ethiopia 2-0 on September 9, 2024, at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium. During this match, Congo DR capitalized on Ethiopia’s missed opportunities, scoring twice in the second half to take all three points. Prior to this, they registered a 1-0 win against Guinea, courtesy of a goal from Watford midfielder Edo Kayembe.

The team’s solid form extends beyond the AFCON qualifiers. Since their narrow loss to South Africa in the 2023 AFCON third-place playoff, the Leopards have remained unbeaten in their last four matches across different competitions, winning three times and drawing once, scoring six goals and conceding only twice. This has put them in a competitive position not just for AFCON but also in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Meanwhile, Tanzania, known as the Taifa Stars, are building momentum after securing their first win in the AFCON qualifiers, defeating Guinea 2-1 in a spirited comeback. They had earlier drawn 0-0 with Ethiopia in their qualifying opener. Tanzania’s unbeaten streak stretches across five matches in all competitions, reflecting their potential to challenge on multiple fronts, including the World Cup qualifiers.

Looking at historical encounters, Congo DR has historically struggled against Tanzania, failing to best them in five of their last six meetings, with their last win being a 3-0 triumph in November 2021. Tanzania’s ability to compete against stronger teams is evident, and they come into this match aiming to exploit any weaknesses in Congo DR’s otherwise solid home form.

For the upcoming fixture, Congo DR’s squad will be composed of prominent players featuring Chancel Mbemba and Arthur Masuaku, who are anticipated to lead the defensive line. Offensive duties are likely to fall on players like Gaël Kakuta and Trabzonspor‘s Denzel Banza. Meanwhile, Tanzania’s squad is bolstered by the presence of strikers Simon Msuva and Mbwana Samatta, who are expected to spearhead the attack.

Both teams have shown commendable resilience in their qualifying campaigns and aim to extend their positive runs. The match at the Stade des Martyrs promises a competitive display as Congo DR seeks to secure a sixth consecutive home win since June 2022, while Tanzania looks to upset their hosts with a strong performance.