Preview: Botswana vs Congo DR – prediction, team news, lineups

Congo DR, already by means of to the knockouts, face Botswana of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group finale at Al Barid Stadium on Tuesday.

A return of 4 factors from a attainable six has propelled Congo DR into the spherical of 16. In distinction, Botswana have suffered an early exit after two defeats up to now, setting the stage for a finale with differing ambitions.

Match preview

Coming into the newest rendition of the Nations Cup as one of many darkish horses price maintaining a tally of, Congo DR have additional enhanced their repute with a win and a draw up to now.

Sebastien Desabre’s males would have been extensively anticipated to see off Benin of their curtain-raiser on December 23, the place they emerged victorious courtesy of Theo Bongonda’s Sixteenth-minute strike to maintain the juggernaut rolling.

Their subsequent problem got here in opposition to 2021 champions Senegal, with Les Leopards taking the lead by means of Cedric Bakambu simply previous the hour mark. Nonetheless, Sadio Mane’s response within the 69th minute noticed the match finish in a draw.

That halted Congo DR’s profitable streak at six video games, however it was sufficient to see them head into the knockout phases for a fifth time in six continental tournaments, both aspect of their no-show in 2021.

Aiming to complete high of their AFCON group for the primary time since 2017, the Central Africans put together now for a conclusive showdown in opposition to Botswana within the third-ever version of this fixture; the primary two conferences yielded one win apiece.

Botswana have the least expertise and lowest rating of the 24 individuals presently vying for continental glory in Morocco, making their bid to achieve the final 16 for the primary time a serious problem.

Morena Ramoreboli’s males got a baptism of fireside on their return to AFCON responsibility, dropping 3-0 to Senegal of their opening fixture, earlier than a slender 1-0 defeat to Benin of their sophomore encounter.

Consequently, the Zebras turned the primary staff mathematically eradicated from the group section, leaving them with solely satisfaction to play for of their upcoming conflict in opposition to Congo DR.

However, a win in Rabat could be a much-needed increase for Botswana, who haven’t gained in 9 matches since beating Somalia 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier in March.

Having conceded first in 5 of their most up-to-date seven matches, Botswana could have a constructive begin on the high of their to-do record to face any likelihood of pulling off a shock win on Tuesday, however mendacity in wait is a Congo DR aspect who’ve damaged the impasse eight instances over their final 9 video games.

Botswana Africa Cup of Nations type:

Botswana type (all competitions):

Congo DR Africa Cup of Nations type:

Congo DR type (all competitions):

Group Information

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Now with 21 Congo DR targets after scoring in opposition to Senegal, Cedric Bakambu is poised to tie Dieumerci Mbokani’s report of twenty-two and shall be desperate to ship.

Arthur Masuaku was compelled with an damage scare final day trip, and with a last-16 conflict to observe Tuesday’s project, the skilled defender could also be given a breather right here.

Ought to Masuaku be rested, Joris Kayembe may make his first begin of the AFCON finals as the one change in an in any other case settled defensive unit that features Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba and Aaron Wan Bissaka.

For Botswana, Mosha Gaolaolwe is edging nearer to racking up a century of appearances and shall be anticipated to characteristic alongside Thatayaone Ditlhokwe within the coronary heart of the backline for the third recreation operating.

Nonetheless, regardless of making only one change within the beginning XI throughout two matches up to now, Ramoreboli may look to rotate in different areas of the pitch this time.

Botswana attainable beginning lineup:

The goat; Velaphi, Galaolwe, Shoppers, Johnson; The paths, Motor; The rhinoceros, Ourbonically, to the Mid; They’re individuals

Congo DR attainable beginning lineup:

Ache; Kayembe, tuanzebe, slice, wan-bissaka; Moutoussy, Sadiki, Mukau; Elia, Bongonda, Makambu

We are saying: Botswana 0-3 Congo DR

Given Botswana’s abysmal efficiency en path to their two Group D defeats, Congo DR will relish the chance to safe a convincing win on Tuesday.

All thought of, we anticipate that Congo DR will win comfortably and end their spectacular group-stage journey on a constructive notice, underlining their standing as robust contenders for the knockout rounds.

For information evaluation of the almost certainly outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click on right here.