DR Congo and Tanzania return to action in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they go head to head at the Stade des Martyrs on Thursday.

The Leopards have kicked up the campaign with two wins from their opening two games and will head into the game in search of a sixth competitive home victory since June 2

Congo DR maintained their perfect start to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on September 9 when they picked up a comfortable 2-0 victory over Ethiopia at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.

In an action-packed contest between the two sides, Ethiopia were guilty of a lack of cutting edge in front of goal as Theo Bongonda  and Fiston Mayele   struck in the second half to hand the visitors all three points.

This followed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Guinea in Kinshasa on September 3 when Watford midfielder Edo Kayembe  netted the only goal of the game in the 27th minute to hand Congo DR a dream start to their race for a place in Morocco.

Since their gut-wrenching penalty-shootout loss against South Africa in the 2023 AFCON third-place playoff clash on January 10,Sebastien Desabre’s  men have now gone three consecutive games without defeat across all competitions, claiming three wins and one draw while scoring six goals and conceding twice.

This solid run of results has seen the Leopards strengthen their stake for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they have now picked up seven points from four games in Group B of the qualifiers to sit third in the table, three points behind Sudan in the automatic qualification spot.

Congo DR now go up against an opposing side they have failed to get the better of in five of the last six meetings between the two nations — losing twice and claiming three draws — with a 3-0 victory in November 2021 being the exception.

Tanzania, on the other hand, picked up their first win in the AFCON qualifying race last time out as they fought back from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Guinea when the two nations squared off at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium.

Following a goalless first half, Mohamed Bayo netted shortly before the hour mark but Tanzania hit back four minutes later through Feisal Salum  before Mudathir Yahya  completed the comeback within an 88th-minute strike.

Prior to that, Tanzania kicked off their quest for back-to-back AFCON appearances for the first time on September 4 when they were held to a somewhat disappointing goalless draw by Ethiopia in Dar es Salaam.

Since a narrow 1-0 against Bulgaria in March’s friendly clash,Hemed Suleiman’s  men have now gone five consecutive games without defeat across all competitions, picking up two draws and three wins, including June’s 1-0 victory over Zambia in the World Cup qualifiers, where they are currently second in Group E with six points from a possible nine.

The Taifa Stars have picked up four points from their opening two in the 2025 AFCON qualifying race to sit second in the standings, two points off Thursday’s hosts at the top of the pole.

Next up for Tanzania is the challenge of taking on an opposing side who are on a run of five back-to-back competitive home victories, stretching back to a 1-0 defeat against Gabon in the AFCON qualifiers back in June 2022.

Congo DR have named a solid 25-man squad for October’s qualifying games against Tanzania and Ethiopia, with the likes of Simon Banza,Gael Kakuta  and veteran defender Chancel Mbemba  headlining the list.

Mbemba and 30-year-old Henoe Inonga  started at the heart of the back four against Ethiopia last time out and should retain their roles in the XI, while Charles Pickel,Chadrac Akolo  and Sivasspor man Samuel Moutoussamy  should start in midfield.

Samuel Essende has netted two goals in four appearances for Augsburg in the Bundesliga and the 26-year-old should lead the Leopards attack, alongside 33-year-old Kakuta and Trabzonspor man Banza.

As for Tanzania, Suleiman’s has stuck with the majority of the players called up for September’s qualifiers, with Mohamed Husseini,Ibrahim Hamad,Dickson Job and Lusajo Mwaikenda  expected to form the back four once again.

Salum and Young Africans Sport Club’s Yahya were both on target against Guinea last time out and should team up at the centre of the park, alongside Goztepe man Novatus Miroshi   who made his debut in September 2021.

Vancouver Whitecaps striker Cyprian Kachwele , who was handed his debut against Guinea last time out, has also been named in the 23-man squad and will be hoping to open his account for the Taifa Stars.

Congo DR possible starting lineup:
Bertaud; Kalulu, Inonga, Mbemba, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Akolo, Pickel; Essende, Kakuta, Banza

Tanzania possible starting lineup:
Juma; Husseini, Hamad, Job, Mwaikenda; Salum, Yahya, Miroshi; Mzize, Samatt

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com