Needing just a point to confirm their place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Congo DR welcome Sudan to Stade des Martyrs on Saturday evening.

On the other hand, the away side make the trip to Kinshasa this weekend in search of a victory to stand any chance of securing a place at next year's continental showpiece.

Match preview

Congo DR showed great resolve to come away with all three points from their meeting against the Panthers of Gabon at Stade de Franceville on June 18.

Sebastien Desabre's men took the lead 11 minutes before half time through Aaron Tshibola before Fiston Mayele made sure of the result in the 83rd minute.

As a result, the Leopards currently lead the way in their qualifying group after the first five rounds of matches, two points clear of Mauritania.

Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who boast one victory from the previous five editions of this fixture across all competitions.

However, that solitary win did come in the most recent encounter in June 2022, when Saturday's hosts were on the receiving end of a narrow 2-1 defeat.

Sudan were left red-faced in their clash against the Mauritanian Lions of Chinguetti, which ended in a humiliating 3-0 defeat at Stade Adrar on June 20.

Yusuf Fartout's men fell behind to Mohamed Nouh's first-half opener after which second-half goals from El Hassan Houbeib and Hemeya Tanjy sealed the deal.

With six points on the board, the Secretary Birds sit bottom of Group I but are only a point behind Mauritania and Gabon in second and third respectively.

Off the back of three consecutive defeats on the road by a combined score of 6-2, Saturday's visitors have it all to do in a must-win clash on the road if they are to keep their AFCON dream alive.

Team News

Congo DR's Yoane Wissa has been in good goalscoring form at club level of late, and the striker will be looking to deliver the goods on the international front.

Fiston Mayele sets out to pick up where he left off having opened his account for the home side at the fourth time of asking against Gabon.

Mohamed Abdel Raman was named man-of-the-match for Sudan in the last meeting between Saturday's opponents, making him one to keep an eye on here.

Once again, Yusuf Fartout has named purely home-based players, with every player in the current Sudan squad currently plying their respective trades in the country.

Congo DR possible starting lineup:
Mpasi; Masuaku, Batubinsika, Mbemba, Ikoko; Akolo, Moutoussamy, Kakuta, Bongonda; Wissa, Bakambu

Sudan possible starting lineup:
Mustafa; Khamis, Abaker, Farag, El Tahir; Abdalla, Hemidan; Bakhit, Shiboub, Al-Shoala; Abdel Raman

We say: Congo DR 2-0 Sudan

Congo DR are on a more impressive run of results heading into this one, and coupled the with the added advantage of playing in front of their fans, we fully expect the hosts to have no problem coming away with a routine win in the end.


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