SportsMall previews Tuesday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Congo and South Africa, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Three important points are up for grabs at St Alphonse Masemba-Tebet on Tuesday. Congo to entertain the challenge of South Africa In the fourth round of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualified.
Ahead of the finals in November, the hosts need a win to get their AFCON pursuit back on track while the visitors look for a win to seal their place in Morocco.
Competition preview
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South Africa turned on the style in front of goal to continue their recent resurgence as they ran out 5-0 winners over Congo in Friday's clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
A double in the first half Teboho Mokoena was set up Hugo BruceAfter that the men go to all three points Assistants are Aubas, Lyle Foster And Igram Rainers Everyone was active on both sides of the break.
It is now 11 matches since Bafana Bafana were last beaten and a recent resurgence has pushed them to second place in the AFCON qualifying group, only behind Uganda on goal difference.
South Africa clinched the bronze medal from the latest AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast earlier this year, defeating DR Congo in a penalty shootout and will be keen to go one better at next year's continental event.
Currently the joint-highest goals in the qualifiers (10), Tuesday's visitors will fancy their chances of another attacking masterclass to defend their AFCON berth away from home in style.
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Aiming to return to the continental scene for the first time in 10 years, Congo opened their qualifying campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over South Sudan on September 5, but things haven't gone as planned since then.
Isaac NgadaThe men lost 2-0 to Uganda four days later before chasing down South Africa 5-0 last time out.
It's been a terrible 2024 for the Red Devils, with just one win from six matches in all competitions this year and four defeats out of the other five.
Interim manager Nakata has endured a difficult spell since taking over from Paul Pud on an interim basis in 2023, and the 59-year-old's appointment is unlikely to be made permanent.
Currently sitting third in Group K, Tuesday's hosts are four points behind both South Africa and Uganda, and a win for either side in the next round of matches would end Congo's AFCON ambitions.
Congo Africa Cup of Nations Qualification:
Congo Format (All Matches):
South Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Form:
South Africa Format (All Matches):
Group messages
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On the back of his brace against Congo, Tepoho Mokoina has now scored eight times for South Africa. Percy Dow And King Four.
Having scored a century in each of his last five games for club and country, forward Igram Rainiers is knocking on the door for his first international start since June.
With Lyle Foster injured midway through the second half, the Rainiers could call back into the visitors' lineup to lead the line.
Christopher Iboy Made his full debut for Congo in the loss to South Africa, but the 29-year-old failed to impress and dropped to the bench here.
Christopher Mfuombi He recently equaled his 38th cap with a fellow goalkeeper Bryce Samba 10th on the hosts' all-time appearances list.
Congo Possible starting line-up:
dust; Poaty, Bidounga, Makosso, Andzouana; Ndockyt, Ontanga, Makouta; Mboungou, Ibayi, Ganvoula
South Africa Probable Starting Lineup:
Williams; OK, Dartley, Kegana, Mudau; brother, Aubas; Apollos, the child; Foster, Foster
We say: Congo 1-3 South Africa
Still buoyed by their success last time out, South Africa will head into this one on a high and it's hard to bet against Congo completing the doubles.
We fully expect the Bruce's men to secure a routine win against the hosts and go safely through the AFCON group stage.
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