Tanzania will face Congo DR with a place in the knockout stages up for grabs. Group F will see simultaneous kickoffs. With two points from their opening two games, the Leopards are looking for a win to maintain their lead. The Taifa Stars risk elimination if they don’t prevail.
Preview (Tanzania vs. Congo DR)
Before the tournament, Tanzania was written off as the whipping boys of the Group. They surprised everyone and are still in the running for a knockout spot. Despite suffering a humiliating 3-0 loss to Morocco in their first match, they managed to stay near the other contenders in their group after a fiercely contested 1-1 draw with Zambia. After a quick turnover, Simon Msuva’s opportunism gave Adel Amrouche’s team the early lead. However, Patrick Daka’s strong header for Zambia forced Tanzania to settle for a share of the spoils.
With six losses and two draws in their eight games across three AFCON editions, including the current one, Tanzania has never won an AFCON. But, a historic victory against DR Congo on Wednesday would offer a fantastic opportunity to break that record and make it to the knockout stage for the first time. With two victories, two draws, and two losses in their six prior meetings, Tanzania would not be unfamiliar with their opponents. With luck, the Taifa Stars’ chances of qualifying for the AFCON knockout rounds may finally be in their favor. The Leopards were the second-most likely team in this group to advance, behind Morocco, going into the campaign.
But the opposite was true against Morocco, where Sebastian Desabre’s team will be happy to steal a point from what is likely the strongest team in the competition. In the sixth minute, Algeria’s Achraf Hakimi gave his team the lead, but in the 76th, Congo DR’s Silas Katompa Mvumpa grabbed a well-earned equalizer. It was allegedly started by Morocco coach Walid Regragui’s confrontation with DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba.
Team News
Novatus Miroshi was sent off against Morocco and earned a one-match suspension. Tanzania will be without its head coach. After his goal against Zambia, Msuva is probably going to stay in the starting lineup. Mbwana Samatta will lead the attack. Mvumpa is vying for a spot in the starting lineup after scoring last time out off the bench. Yemo Wissa, an attacker for Brentford who scored the game’s lone goal against Zambia. He will lead the assault once more with Bakambu, a forward for Galatasaray.
Tanzania 0-2 Congo DR
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