The State of Play
Under the management of Sebastian Desabre, the Democratic Republic of Congo began their Africa Cup of Nations group stage campaign with a 1-1 draw against Zambia and then they followed that up with draws against Morocco and Tanzania. Their Round of 16 tie saw them taken to penalties and eventually winning against Egypt and that means they are a game away from the semi-finals but are yet to win in this competition.
They face a Guinean side that came through a dramatic encounter with Equatorial Guinea the other day, scoring the winning goal with the last touch of the game via Mohamed Bayo. Guinea scored a disallowed goal but then had a man advantage for over half an hour, yet still had to survive Emilio Nsue missing a penalty. Guinea came through the group stages with a win, a draw and a defeat against defending champions Senegal.
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Team News
The Democratic Republic of Congo have several attacking options but Sebastian Desabre is still searching for the right formula with the likes of Silvas Mvumpa and Grady Diangana pushing for the eleven. Dylan Batubinsika could be swapped out for Henock Inonga in this one.
Guinea have a very strong core but the fairly controversial decision to drop a finally fit Serhou Guirassy was the big talking point from their game against Equatorial Guinea, which was won with a 98th minute winner via Mohamed Bayo. Team captain Naby Keita remains a substitute for Kaba Diawara’s side.
Expected Line-ups
DR Congo: Mpasi; Kalulu, Mbemba, Inonga, Masuaku; Bongonda, Moutoussamy, Pickel; Elia, Bakambu, Wissa
Guinea: Kone; Diakite, Diakhaby, Jeanvier, I. Sylla; Guilavogui, Konate, Diawara, S. Sylla; Bayo, Camara
What they Said
Sebastian Desabre said he was ‘proud’ of his team after they defeated Egypt the other day and also made a special note to say he was ‘happy for the people who are in difficulty in the eastern part’ in reference to the victims of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kaba Diawara went into the tournament bigging up Guinea’s chances when he said ‘we have great ambition for this competition.’ Now, a couple of weeks on, they are a game away from the final four.
When and How to Watch
This match will be played at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium at 17:00 on Friday February 2nd and will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK. It can also be streamed via the Sky Go app.
Prediction
As mentioned, the Democratic Republic of Congo are yet to win so far but Guinea’s only victories have come against a poor Gambian side and then a last-gasp winner against ten-man opposition in the Equatorial Guinea in the Round of 16. Guinea have a strong core but neither side appear willing to let too much be shown in attack so, regardless of who does come out on top, a low-scoring and nervy affair with less than three goals would appear very likely.
