Seeking to make it five wins from five in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Congo DR take on Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium on Saturday.
The Syli National head into the weekend just two points above third-placed Tanzania and will set out in search of all three points as they look to seal their spot in Morocco next year.
Match preview
© Imago
Guinea picked up three huge points in their push for a top-two finish in Group H of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Ethiopia at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium on October 15.
Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy grabbed his fourth and fifth goals of the qualifiers either side of Abdoulaye Toure's 19th-minute strike to fire the visitors to a comfortable win in Ivory Coast.
This made it two consecutive victories over Ethiopia for the Syli National, who stormed to a 4-1 win thanks to a first-half hat-trick from Guirassy when the two nations squared off in the first of their October double-header.
Prior to the wins over Ethiopia, Kaba Diawara's men stumbled into the qualifying campaign, losing 1-0 against Congo DR in September's group curtain-raiser, four days before suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Tanzania.
Guinea, who are 78th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, have picked up six points from a possible 12 to sit second in the Group H standings, two points above third-placed Tanzania heading into the final two games.
© Imago
On the other hand, Congo DR left it late against Tanzania in their most recent AFCON qualifying outing as they edged the Taifa Stars 2-0 when the two nations squared off on October 15.
With nothing to separate the two sides heading into the final three minutes of normal time, substitute Meschack Elia came up clutch for the visitors as he netted two late goals to dash Tanzania's hearts at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.
Sebastien Desabre's men head into Saturday's clash as one of just four sides with a 100% record in the qualifiers, winning each of their four matches while scoring six goals and keeping four clean sheets so far.
Since losing on penalties to South Africa in the 2023 AFCON third-placed playoff back in February, the Leopards have gone six straight games without defeat across all competitions, claiming one draw and five wins, including a 1-0 victory over Togo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on June 9.
Congo DR will be backing themselves to maintain their perfect AFCON qualifying record on Saturday as they go up against an opposing side who have lost each of their previous five clashes since February 2016.
Team News
© Imago
With his brace against Ethiopia last time out, Guirassy now has five goals in just two outings in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the 28-year-old striker will be looking to deliver the goods once again.
He should form the attacking quartet with Francois Kamano, Seydouba Cisse and Arouca forward Morlaye Sylla, while Toure and Mady Camara should form the two-man midfield pivot.
At the defensive end of the pitch, we expect Diawara to name a back four of Antoine Conte, Saidou Sow, Ibrahim Diakite and Montpellier's Issiaga Sylla, with 25-year-old Moussa Camara starting between the sticks once again.
Congo DR have called up a solid 25-man squad for November's qualifying games against Guinea and Ethiopia, with the likes of Elia, Arthur Masuaku and skipper Chancel Mbemba spearheading the team.
Elia netted twice in a 30-minute cameo to inspire the Leopards to a 2-0 victory over Tanzania last time out and the Young Boys striker could be handed a starting role this weekend, teaming up with Theo Bongonda and 28-year-old Simon Banza in attack.
Mbemba and 31-year-old Henoc Baka should form the centre-back pairing, while we expect a midfield trio of Samuel Moutoussamy, Charles Pickel and Watford man Edo Kayembe.
Guinea possible starting lineup:
Camara; A Sylla, Conte, Sow, Diakite; Toure, Camara; Kamano, Cisse, M Sylla; Guirassy
Congo DR possible starting lineup:
Bertaud; Masuaku, Inonga, Mbemba, Kalulu; Bertaud; Kayembe, Moutoussamy, Pickel; Mvumpa, Banza, Bongonda
We say: Guinea 2-1 Congo DR
Needing all three points to seal their spot in the 2025 AFCON, we expect Guinea to go all out at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium this weekend. While Congo DR are currently firing on all cylinders in the qualifiers, the Syli National are much improved since both sides clashed in September and we predict that they will come away with the desired result.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
