DR Congo hopes to return to the World Cup. Two games are required to qualify for the second qualification of the Leopards, nearly 50 years after their last appearance in West Germany in 1974. First exit of his group at Benin (2nd place, 10 points) and Tanzania (3rd place, 8 points), during the second qualifying roundThe DR Congo has now offered itself the right of contesting the play-offs. This is the final step to secure a ticket for the large mass of world football. In a double confrontation, Hector Cuper and a great Moroccan team will be fighting for the final battle.
Despite the size of its adversary, the DR Congo believes in its destiny. And to achieve the feat, Cédric Bakambu’s teammates can count on the full support of the Congolese people. Within 24 hours of the start of the first leg, in Kinshasa rulers, leaders, and supporters have all mobilized behind their national team as one man. The Moroccans can take it as a given: they will be playing this Friday 25 March at the Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa. But will the support from the Congolese public be enough to allow the Leopards the opportunity to displace the quarter-finalists from the last CAN? Is the DR Congo equipped with the weapons necessary to make its opponent yield?
Qualifying for CAN 2021 third
Let’s take a closer glance at the Congolese team. The Leopards were placed in a group that was within reach of Angola, Gambia, and Gabon during the qualification for CAN 2021. However, they failed to secure their ticket for the final phase of Cameroon. They came in third place behind Gabon and the modest Gambia. DR Congo managed to only score nine points in six games, with three draws, two wins, and one loss. While his attack was not particularly prolific, with only 4 goals scored by him, his defense was more effective with 5 conceded pawns. Only Angola, the bottom of this pool, did worse.
The double CAN 1968 and 1974 winner will, with minimal effort, rectify the situation during group stage of the qualification for the 2022 World Cup. The Leopards lead pool J with 11 points. Benin is only one point behind the Leopards in pool J. The controversial victory (2-0), won by the DR Congo in front of the Squirrels at home during the sixth day and final day, had also allowed the country to pass. On the first goal, the referee gave a generous penalty in favor of the premises. In addition, five substitutions were made by the Congolese coach in four sessions to go against three allowed.
Morocco has less certainty
However, the DR Congo will have met the requirements in this group stage for the 2022 World Cup qualifications. The play-off stage is where the impact of Hector Cuper’s selection during the last CAN could be detrimental to the balance. Despite having attended preparation courses with his team in Argentina for this deadline, he will still be able to advance with less certainty than Vahid Halilhodzic, the coach from Morocco. Hector Cuper, a Cameroon-based technician, was able identify the strengths of his team. However, Cuper couldn’t do this in Cameroon as his team hadn’t competed since November. This is far from a minor detail.
🇨🇩 DR Congo 🆚 Morocco 🇲🇦
🏟 Martyrs Stadium
🏆The first leg of this competition is #WCQFinal round
🗓The 25th of March
⏰15:00 GMTWho will win in the first 90 minutes? 🤔 #WorldCup | @fecofa_kinshasa | @In Morocco pic.twitter.com/mkW6x8HLsb
— CAF (@CAF_Online) March 22, 2022
Source: sportnewsafrica
