AFCON 2023: DR Congo vs Zambia: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Two-time victors go up against the side with one title

DR Congo boasts an impressive history, having clinched the tournament title twice before. Their initial victory came in 1968 when they competed as Congo-Kinshasa, followed by another triumph in 1974 under the name Zaire. As they gear up for the upcoming match, DR Congo carries a rich legacy in the prestigious tournament.

Zambia secured their most recent AFCON triumph in 2012, emerging victorious in Gabon. In a remarkable journey, they overcame formidable teams such as Senegal and Ghana, ultimately defeating Ivory Coast in the final to claim the prestigious trophy. In their final preparations for the upcoming AFCON, Chipolopolo concluded with a friendly match against Cameroon, concluding in a 1-1 draw.

Kick-Off:

Thursday; 18 January 2024, 08:00 PM GMT (01:30 AM IST)

Location: Stade Laurent Pokou

Form

DR Congo (all competitions): D-W-L-D-L

Zambia (all competitions): L-W-W-L-D

Players to watch

Fiston Mayele (DR Congo)

Entering the AFCON qualifiers, the 29-year-old attacking midfielder made a significant impact as he emerged from the bench against Gabon, ultimately securing the winning goal for his nation. His noteworthy contribution showcased not only his scoring abilities but also highlighted his exceptional work rate within the team. As Zambia faces DR Congo, the Chipolopolo defense may find themselves challenged by the dynamic presence of this midfielder, adding an element of unpredictability to the upcoming match.

Patson Daka (Zambia)

Continuing his impressive form from the qualifiers, the striker from Leicester City found the back of the net for Chipolopolo in their recent friendly against Cameroon. With this goal, his tally for the Copper Bullets has reached 19 since 2015, showcasing consistent scoring prowess. At just 25 years old, he holds the promise of adding more goals to his record, emphasizing his potential to become an even more prolific scorer for the national team in the future.

Match Facts

• The last time these two teams met was in 2015 which was also the last time Zambia qualified for the AFCON.
• The same match ended in a 1-1 draw and the Copper Bullets bowed out of the tournament in the group stage without winning a single match.
• Zambia have managed to keep only one clean sheet in their last five matches.

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Injury and Team News

Both teams head into this match without any injury concerns, signaling that both squads are at full strength and ready for the upcoming encounter. Key players from both sides are available to contribute to what promises to be an exciting match.

Head-to-Head

Matches: 12

DR Congo: 6

Zambia: 4

Draws: 2

Predicted lineup for DR Congo vs Zambia

DR Congo predicted lineup:

Mpasi; Kalulu, Mbemba, Kayembe, Bayeye; Edo Kayembe, Pickel, Tshibola; Banza, Mayele, Diangana

Zambia predicted lineup:

Mulenga; Kabwe, Chanda, Sunzu, Chepeshi; Banda, Kangwa; Sakala, Chama, Banda; Daka

Match prediction for DR Congo vs Zambia

Considering their recent form, Zambia enters the upcoming match with a winning mindset. The team’s cohesive play and the recent goal-scoring form of their Leicester City striker add to the reasons supporting their potential success. Zambia will face tough opposition in their first match of the AFCON.

Prediction: DR Congo 1-1 Zambia

Telecast for DR Congo vs Zambia

India – FanCode

UK – Sky Sports

US – beIN Sports

Nigeria – NTA

AFCON 2023 Worldwide Broadcast Details: Click here

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