The complicated start of the Leopards in the CAN 2023 qualifiers has raised many doubts about their qualification. However, the arrival of Sébastien Desabre brought new life to the Congolese team. Today, the Leopards are leaders of their group, with the possibility of qualifying from the next match. This situation is all the more surprising since no one would have predicted such a turnaround after the defeats during the era of Hector Cuper.
A fascinating statistic reinforces the hopes of the Congolese: during the three previous CAN qualifiers, the DRC obtained its qualification during the last qualifying match, at home. This data does not bode well for the Sudanese, who are also seeking to qualify and who will face the Leopards this Saturday, on the lawn of the Stade des Martyrs.
Let’s come back to these last qualifications. In 2015, the DRC faced Sierra Leone on the last day of the qualifiers. The Leopards won the match 3-1 thanks to a double from Yannick Bolasie and a goal from Cédric Mongungu. Despite placing third in the group at that time, they were eventually drafted by CAF as the best third of all groups, allowing them to qualify for the competition.
In 2017, the DRC was in second place in its group before the last qualifying match. They faced CAR at home and won the match 4-1, securing their qualification for the CAN in Gabon.
In 2019, the Leopards were once again in a tricky situation heading into the final playoff game. They were in third place in their group behind Zimbabwe and Liberia. However, in the decisive match at home against Liberia, the DRC won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Cédric Bakambu, thus securing their place at the AFCON in Egypt.
This Saturday, the DRC national team will try to extend its unbeaten streak at home in the final match of the qualifiers. A victory or a draw would allow them to qualify for CAN 2023. Under the eyes of the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, the Leopards cannot afford any mistakes.
The qualifying statistics from the last day at home give hope to the Congolese, who believe in the ability of their team to obtain a new historic qualification. There is no doubt that the atmosphere will be electric at the Stade des Martyrs, where Congolese supporters are preparing to experience a new page in the history of Congolese football.