AFCON 2023
Match 40 – Egypt v DR Congo
Sunday 28 January | 22:00

Some extent of their remaining group recreation was sufficient for DR Congo to progress through direct qualification from Group F. The Leopards will set their sights on an Egypt outfit that’s but to report a victory at AFCON, regardless of ending second in Group B.

To Win Match (90 minutes)
Egypt 21/20 | Draw 17/10 | DR Congo 29/10

With seven AFCON titles to their identify, Egypt is unquestionably a facet to worry at any stage of the competitors. Regardless of being probably the most profitable nation on the match, lacklustre performances towards Mozambique, Ghana and Cape Verde might sign a altering of the guard. While they’ve discovered their solution to the again of the online, total performances throughout the pitch have left a lot to be desired.

Egypt have been runners-up on the 2017 and 2021 finals – after squeezing by means of to the knockout phases. They’re hoping to clinch their first AFCON title since 2010, nonetheless, will this be potential with out talisman Mohammed Salah?

The Pharaohs have been a shadow of themselves and the writing might be on the wall for former Benfica boss Rui Vitoria. His Egypt facet have gone and not using a win of their first three matches in a single AFCON version for the primary time since 1990 (once they misplaced all three fixtures).

Moreover, the North Africans have drawn 5 consecutive AFCON video games for the primary time. Not fairly studying if you happen to’re an Egyptian fan or punter. 

Like Egypt, DR Congo booked their place within the knockout phases of the competitors with out registering a single victory. Sharing a gaggle with the highest-ranked nation on the continent, Morocco, and a free-scoring Zambia outfit, one would have been cautious about The Leopard’s probabilities of development.

Their draw with Chipolopolo on opening day signified their intent. If that wasn’t ample, Sebastien Desabre’s second-half substitution towards The Atlas Lions proved to be a stroke of brilliance as Silas Mvumpa would go on to equalize and make sure the factors have been shared.

Whereas there are a handful of gifted gamers for the French tactician to name upon, the previous couple of video games have been a wrestle. Wanting on the head-to-head, the earlier time these two groups confronted one another was throughout AFCON 2019, the place Egypt went on to win 2-0.

Verdict: Egypt 21/20

My cash is on Egypt right here. Though their performances have been lacklustre, they’ve better energy in depth and a powerful monitor report at this stage of the match.