Congo DR will take on Ethiopia in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game at Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte on Tuesday.
The clash will have no bearing on the qualification status of either team, as the hosts have already secured their place mathematically, while the visitors are already eliminated.
Match preview
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Congo DR headed into their clash with Guinea already assured of qualification, and this reflected their lack of attacking sharpness, eventually losing 1-0 in the game.
Borussia Dortmund striker, Serhou Guirassy, scored a stoppage-time strike to hand Sebastien Desabre's men their first defeat of the 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign.
Having won their first four matches, the Leopards remained top of Group H with 12 points, three points ahead of second-placed Guinea, and they will now need at least a draw to secure the top spot, depending on the result of the game between Tanzania and Guinea.
Prior to Saturday's defeat, Congo DR were part of an exclusive club that had a 100% record and had not conceded a goal in the AFCON qualifiers, but with that now gone, the Central Africans have only pride at stake heading into Tuesday's clash with Ethiopia.
The Leopards won 2-0 in the reverse fixture, which was their third victory over the visitors in four meetings, and the only defeat they have suffered in this encounter (1-0) was in 2007 – the only time they have conceded a goal in this fixture.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia would be disappointed with their performance in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, having lost all four matches since their goalless draw with Tanzania in the opening game of the qualifying series.
After losses to Congo DR and Guinea, the Walyas headed into Saturday's second leg clash with Tanzania knowing that defeat would end any hope of an AFCON ticket, but they still came up short, losing 2-0.
With hopes of a place at the 2025 AFCON now non-existent, Ethiopia have nothing but pride to play for against Congo DR, with their motivation perhaps being to secure at least one win in this qualifying campaign.
Gebremedhin Haile, who was appointed in November in what was a second stint, has now seen his side fail to win any of their last 10 competitive matches, claiming four draws and losing six.
Team News
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Congo DR are expected to field a strong side for this clash, with the likes of Meschack Elia, Arthur Masuaku, and skipper Chancel Mbemba Mangulu keeping their starting spots.
Simon Banza, who is yet to find the net in this qualifying campaign, should retain his spot as the centre-forward, while Theo Bongonda will hope to add to his one goal if he keeps his place in attack.
Ethiopia lined up Amanuel Erbo and Abdulkarim Worku in a front two last time out, and they are likely to retain their spots for Tuesday's clash.
Chernet Gugsa, Bereket Desta Dana, Amanuel Yohannes Gamo, and Abinet Demissie could also keep their places in the midfield four.
Congo DR possible starting lineup:
Bertaud; Masuaku, Baka, Mbemba, Kalulu; Sadiki, Moutoussamy, Pickel; Elia, Banza, Bongonda
Ethiopia possible starting lineup:
Habtamu; Bekele, Zegeye, Belay, Werkneh; Gamo, Dana, Demissie, Gugsa; Erbo, Worku
We say: Congo DR 2-0 Ethiopia
Ethiopia have been very poor in this AFCON qualifying campaign, putting up uninspiring performances, and that is not expected to change on Tuesday – this is why we believe that Congo DR's quality will see them prevail.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
