Last World Cup chance for the Congolese Leopards
The Democratic Republic of Congo is considered a sleeping giant, not only in football. This country has outstanding potential. Why this is far too rarely called upon at many levels is beyond the scope of this article. We look at whether the Leopards from DR Congo still have a chance of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Hector Cuper’s side have actually gone into this group stage as big favourites. However, after four of six matchdays, the Congolese are in third place with only five points. Tanzania and Benin, both with seven points, currently have the better prospects of a slot in the final play-offs, which only the group winner will reach. Even last-place Madagascar is not yet hopelessly out of the running.
The DR account still has it in its own hands. With victories on Thursday in Dar es Salaam and on Sunday at home against Benin, the Leopards can take over the top of the table. However, this will require a show of strength, but the situation is not hopeless and it is therefore understandable that predictions of the Leopards winning the group can be heard before the match between Tanzania and DR Congo.
The Taifa Stars will do everything in their power to prevent this from happening. With a win, Danish coach Kim Poulsen’s eleven would have a good chance of qualifying for the play-offs. However, we assume that the decision on the group victory will not be made until the weekend, because we think that with a sports betting bonus in the clash Tanzania vs DR Congo a bet on an away win is not a bad choice.
Tanzania – Statistics & current form
Tanzania have not been one of the biggest teams on the African continent. The Taifa Stars could only dream of a World Cup participation so far. Even at the continental championships, Tanzania has only competed twice. But perhaps it is Kim Poulsen’s team that can surprise like Angola or Togo in the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup.
Home strong with exceptions
The Tanzanian team has only lost one of its last six international matches. That came at home against Benin in the current qualifiers. However, they also won three home matches in a row before that. This does not make it any easier to play the right odds in this important qualifier between Tanzania and DR Congo.
The first defeat was the aforementioned home loss to Benin in October, when they were beaten 1-0. Only three days later, they played the return match away from home. This time, Kim Poulsen’s team kept the upper hand and won 1-0 after a goal by Simon Msuva – a successful revenge
The hopes for a successful qualification rest above all on Simon Msuva and captain Mbwana Samatta. The two attackers are among the few legionnaires in the squad. These two strikers are also the spokesmen within the team and have rallied the squad for the two upcoming matches.
Predicted Tanzania line-up:
Manula – Juma, Job, Mwamnyeto – Hussein, Salum, Miroshi, Mwenda – Msuva, Kibu, Samatta – Coach: Poulsen
Last matches played by Tanzania:
World Cup Qualifiers CAF – 2nd Round – Grp. J
10/10 2021 – Benin 0 – 1 Tanzania
10/07 2021 – Tanzania 0 – 1 Benin
09/07 2021 – Tanzania 3 – 2 Madagascar
09/02 2021 – DR Congo 1 – 1 Tanzania
Friendly match
06/13 2021 – Tanzania 2 – 0 Malawi
DR Congo – Statistics & current form
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, people wonder why coach Hector Cuper continues to live in Argentina rather than reside locally. As a result, he lacks insight into the national league and many talents don’t get a chance because they simply can’t present themselves. Perhaps this is also a reason why things are not going as well as they could and should for the Leopards.
The wins are missing
Of the last five internationals, only one has been lost, but DR Congo have also won only one of their last six games. Yet many of the Leopards play for well-known European clubs or have at least earned their money there. Based on the names alone, the prediction in the duel between Tanzania and DR Congo must clearly go in the direction of an away win.
In October, the 1974 World Cup participants, then still known as Zaire, seemed to be on a good path when they won 2-0 at home against Madagascar. A subsequent win in the second leg would have kept them top of the table, but the Leopards suffered a bitter 1-0 defeat on the island, putting Hector Cuper’s team under extreme pressure.
However, several important players were missing in Madagascar. The Democratic Republic of Congo will now be able to call on former Bundesliga player Marcel Tisserand again in the two decisive matches. In addition, Neeskens Kebano and especially Yannick Bolasie will return to the line-up. In terms of personnel, things could hardly look better for the Leopards. Meschak Elia from Young Boys Bern, however, has not received an invitation to the national team.
Predicted line-up of DR Congo:
Kiassumbua – Muzinga, Luyindama, Mbemba, Tisserand – Bastien, Kebano, Bolasie, Akolo – Mbokani, Bakambu – Coach: Cuper
Last matches played by DR Congo:
World Cup Qualifier CAF – 2nd Round – Grp. J
10/10 2021 – Madagascar 1 – 0 DR Congo
10/07 2021 – DR Congo 2 – 0 Madagascar
09/06 2021 – Benin 1 – 1 DR Congo
09/02 2021 – DR Congo 1 – 1 Tanzania
Friendly match
06/05 2021 – Tunisia 1 – 0 DR Congo
Tanzania – DR Congo Direct comparison / H2H balance
Total of 13 duels have been played between the national teams of Tanzania and DR Congo to date. The Leopards have fared slightly better in the head-to-head comparison, with a 5:3 lead after victories. Another four encounters ended in a draw. It was not until January 2021 that the two teams met in a test match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The qualifier in Lubumbashi was scheduled for 3 September. The Democratic Republic of Congo took the lead after just over 20 minutes with a goal from captain Dieumerci Mbokani, but it did not last long. Simon Msuva scored just under ten minutes later to bring the score back to 1-1.
Tanzania – DR Congo Tip
Both teams will be looking for a chance to at least qualify for the play-offs first and then hope to take part in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. That the Taifa Stars have any chance at all of becoming group winners is a bit of a surprise. However, Kim Poulsen’s team has not yet reached the interim goal.
After all, they have only lost one of their last six games. However, they must not let the points be shared on Thursday, because Benin is a third team lurking in the wings for the group win.
We are of the opinion that the Leopards, who will be playing in Dar es Salaam in their best line-up, have a lot more quality in their squad. The only problem is to bring them onto the pitch. In this decisive match, however, we have every confidence in Hector Cuper’s team. That is why we have decided to play the betting odds on a win for the visitors between Tanzania and DR Congo.
