Tanzania and Congo DR resume their quest for a place in the World Cup when they go head to head at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Thursday.
Having shared the spoils in their most recent two encounters, both sides will be looking to get one over the other and strengthen their chances of making it into the final qualifying round.
Match preview
Tanzania have enjoyed a bright start to their chase for a first-ever World Cup appearance as they find themselves top of Group J after four rounds of matches.
Following a 1-1 draw against Congo DR in their group opener on September 2, Tanzania made it four games without defeat across all competitions when they claimed a thrilling 3-2 win over Madagascar a little under one week later.
However, this fine run took a slight halt in their subsequent outing as they fell to a 1-0 loss against a dogged Benin side courtesy of Steve Mounie's 71st-minute strike at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium on October 7.
Kim Poulsen's men quickly returned to winning ways three days later when they visited the Stade de l'Amitie to take on the Squirrels in the second of their two successive meetings as they claimed a slender 1-0 victory.
With two wins and one draw from their opening four games, Tanzania are currently top of the group standings, level on seven points with Benin and will fancy their chances of maintaining this fine string of results and progressing into the final qualifying round.
Meanwhile, after missing out on a place in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Congo DR got their hunt for a World Cup ticket underway when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Thursday's hosts in September's reverse fixture.
This was followed by another share of the spoils away to Benin four days later before getting their campaign up and running courtesy of a comfortable 2-0 win over Madagascar on October 7.
In a one-sided affair at the Stade des Martyrs, Chadrac Akolo broke the deadlock five minutes after the half-hour mark before Dieumerci Mbokani made sure of the win with a 78th-minute strike to hand the Barea their third defeat in the bounce.
However, Hector Cuper's men failed to build on that performance as they came crashing down to earth last time out when they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat against Madagascar in the second of their double-header at the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium three days later.
With five points from four outings, the Leopards are currently third in the group standings, two points behind Tanzania and Benin, who are tied on seven points at the summit of the group.
While Congo DR will be looking to quickly return to winning ways, next up is an opposing side who they have failed to beat in each of the most recent two encounters between the sides, holding out for a share of the spoils on both occasions.
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Team News
Poulsen has called up 27 players to the national team for their final group games against Congo DR and Madagascar, including 28-year-old forward Mbwana Samatta.
The Royal Antwerp forward, who is currently second in the nation's all-time scoring chart with 21 goals from 60 appearances, will be looking to add to his tally in the coming games.
Simon Msuva has been on song for the hosts, netting twice in their four outings and we expect the Wydad Athletic Club forward to handle business at the attacking end of the pitch once again.
Meanwhile, Congo DR head into the game with a 27-man squad, including Porto defender Chancel Mbemba, former Everton forward Yannick Bolasie and Beijing Guoan's Cedric Bakambu.
West Ham United full-back Arthur Masuaku, who last featured for the Leopards back in 2019, has also been called up to the squad and could be handed his ninth appearance on Thursday.
With 21 goals in 44 appearances, Dieumerci Mbokani currently leads the country's all-time goalscoring chart and the Al-Kuwait forward will be one to look out for in this one.
Tanzania possible starting lineup:
Manula; Mwamnyeto, Job, Nyoyi; Mwenda, Yassin, Salum, Hussein; Kibu, Samatta, Msuva
Congo DR possible starting lineup:
Kiassumbua; Amale, Mbemba, Luyindama, Masuaku; Akolo, Kayamba, Kebano, Moutoussamy; Bakambu, Mbokani
We say: Tanzania 1-2 Congo DR
Congo DR have endured an unconvincing campaign so far, managing just one win from their four outings. However, given the amount of talent in their squad, the Leopards are perfectly capable of turning their fortunes around in the coming games. While Tanzania will look to put up a fight, we anticipate Congo DR will bounce back to winning ways and leapfrog the hosts in the standings.
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