24 hours after the draw for the final phase of the African Cup of Nations (CAN), the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faced the All Whites of New Zealand in an international friendly match this Friday October 13. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
At the start of the second half, coach Sébastien Desabre’s men opened the scoring thanks to Cédric Bakambu, who finally unlocked his goal counter after a period of drought at the club. However, in injury time the New Zealanders were awarded a penalty and converted it to level the score.
This friendly match was an opportunity for Congolese players to prepare before the final phase of the CAN which will take place soon. Leopards will face Palancas Negras of Angola in their next friendly match scheduled for October 17.
On the news side, Congolese football is always closely followed by fans who hope for a solid performance during the continental competition. The DRC is one of the favorite teams to win the CAN, with a rich history in this competition.
It is important to emphasize that friendly matches are crucial for national teams, as they allow them to test different strategies, identify weak points and improve their team cohesion. These meetings are also an opportunity for players to showcase themselves and earn a place in the starting lineup during the official competition.
The match between the DRC Leopards and the New Zealand All Whites was therefore a good test for the Congolese team. Despite the mixed result, the players will certainly have learned lessons from this meeting to prepare as best as possible for the CAN.
In conclusion, friendly matches are key moments in the preparation of national football teams. They provide an opportunity to test and adjust tactics, as well as build team spirit. The DRC leopards continue their preparation for the final phase of the CAN with the aim of achieving a memorable performance in this long-awaited competition.