Les Leopards of DR Congo take on the Atlas Lions of Morocco in the second group “C” fixture Monday 16th in Oyem.
Two masters of the African game Florent Ikwange Ibenge (DR Congo) and Herve Renard (Morocco), will come face to face in the only second meeting between the two teams.
In their last encounter January 2006, Morocco spanked DRC 3-0 in a friendly played at Stade Prince Moulay, Rabat.
Even through years have rolled since, and different managers are now in charge, the North Africans can still look back at the blissful moment for inspiration to roar again, but it will not easy against a very consistent and balanced DRC team.
Not even the recent stand-off over unpaid bonuses is expected to distract Les Leopards.
Both teams have been to the premium continental competition 15 times, and while Les Leopards, two-time champions, have shown tremendous improvements in the past three outings – finishing third in 2015 under Ibende, who would a year later take a home-based side to CHAN glory in Rwanda, Morocco have struggled over the same period – failing to go past the groups.
However, under Herve, a two-time champion with Zambia and Ivory Coast, the Atlas Lions are raring to go again.
They showed their huge potential in the qualifiers – winning five and losing one to top their group and cruise to Gabon with relative ease; a record shared with their Monday opponents.
Their last memorable AFCON outing after lifting their maiden title in 1978, was Tunisia 2004, where they lost to the hosts in the final.
Players to watch:
Les Leopards, who trained at the CAF Center of Excellence in Mbankomo, Cameroon, and lost a warm-up against the hosts 2-0, will be without injured Everton assassin Yannick Bolasie.
Nonetheless, the squad is still loaded with amazing talents including Villareal danger-man Cedric Bakambu.
The French-born striker has been oozing confidence, and has coined a phrase “Bakagoal” to rally support behind his quest to bang in goals.
Jordan Rolly Botaka of Charlton Athletic (England), Dieumerci Mbokani, Hull City (England), Neekens Kabeno, Fulham (England) and Benik Afobe, Bournemouth (England) are the other players you can’t afford to take your eyes off.
Morocco squad just like DRC’s is mainly comprised of overseas-based players, with a whole host of players plying their trade in France.
Medhi Benatia (Juventus) and Rachid Alioui (Nimes) are the two key attacking players for the Lions of the Atlas, while Southampton’s Sofiane Boufal will be pulling the strings in midfield.
Munir Mohamedi of Spanish side Numancia is expected to keep his place in goal, while Nabil Dirar of Monaco will be a crucial cog in their defence.
Prediction:
DRC 2-1 Morocco.
