Zimbabwe and DR Congo will meet on Sunday in Cairo in their final Group A match of the Africa Cup of Nations. Both teams can still qualify for the knockout round.
A win could see one of the two nations progress as either the group’s second place finisher or one of the top-ranked third place teams.
Zimbabwe are coming off of a 1-1 draw in their Group A second match against Uganda. The Warriors needed a Khama Billiat goal just before halftime to level the scores. Neither side could find a winner in the second half.
Meanwhile, DR Congo are winless in their two matches at the Africa Cup of Nations. DR Congo fell to Uganda 2-0 before being dispatched by Egypt by the same scoreline.
Manager Florent Ibenge has watched his team be shut out for 180 minutes of football. DR Congo have had goalscoring opportunities but it is their finishing that has let them down.
Ibenge’s team outshot the Egyptians 19-9, yet failed to find the back of the net. DR Congo have goal scorers in the team. Cedric Bakambu, Yannick Bolaise, and Tresor Mputu are all capable of scoring goals for the team.
However, they haven’t been able to find their way through opponents’ defences. DR Congo does have talented players despite not putting the ball into the back of the net.
Zimbabwe have never made it past the group stage at the Africa Cup of Nations. This year’s tournament could see the Warriors reach the knockout round. As it stands, one point will not get them into the next stage as a top third-place team.
The Warriors don’t have as talented of a squad as DR Congo do on paper. But Zimbabwe does have a highly capable goal scorer in Knowledge Musona. The Anderlecht striker has found the back of the net 22 times for the national team.
Zimbabwe and DR Congo have played just four times in all competitions. The Warrior have posted a 1W-2D-1L record against their opponents. The two nations have been incredibly even on the pitch over the years.
Just one time have these two teams played a match that finished with over 2.5 goals scored. That game was played all the way back in 1991.
DR Congo have shown no ability to finish chances at the Africa Cup of Nations. Zimbabwe has been good enough but they too have struggled to score goals.
Sunday’s game is destined for a draw with under 2.5 goals scored between Zimbabwe and DR Congo.