Preview: Congo DR vs. Ethiopia – prediction, team news, lineups

DR Congo will take on Ethiopia in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecoste on Tuesday.

The clash will have no bearing on the qualification status of either team as the hosts have already secured their place mathematically while the visitors have already been eliminated.

Match preview

© Imago

Congo DR were heading into their clash with Guinea already assured of qualification and this reflected their lack of attacking sharpness, eventually losing the match 1-0.

Borussia Dortmund striker, Serhou Guirassyscored a strike in stoppage time Sebastien Desabre‘s men their first defeat of the 2025 AFCON qualification campaign.

After winning their first four games, the Leopards remained top of Group H with 12 points, three points ahead of second-placed Guinea, and they now need at least a draw to secure top spot, depending on the outcome of the match between Tanzania and Guinea.

Prior to Saturday’s defeat, Congo DR were part of an exclusive club that had a 100% record and hadn’t conceded a goal in AFCON qualifying, but with that now gone, the Central Africans only have pride at stake into Tuesday’s clash with Ethiopia.

Leopards won 2-0 in the reverse fixture which was their third win over the visitors in four meetings and the only defeat they have suffered in this meeting (1-0) was in 2007 – the only time they have shut out a goal in. in this fixture.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia would be disappointed with their performance in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, having lost all four matches since their goalless draw with Tanzania in the opening match of the qualifying series.

After losses to Congo DR and Guinea, Walyas went into Saturday’s second game against Tanzania knowing that defeat would end any hopes of an AFCON ticket, but they still fell short, losing 2-0.

With hopes of a place at the 2025 AFCON now non-existent, Ethiopia have nothing but pride to play for against Congo DR and their motivation might be to secure at least one win in this qualifying campaign.

Gebremedhin Hailewho was appointed in November in what was a second stint, has now seen his side fail to win any of their last 10 competitive matches, claiming four draws and losing six.

Congo DR Africa Cup of Nations qualification form:

Congo DR form (all competitions):

Ethiopia Africa Cup of Nations qualification form:

Ethiopia form (all competitions):

Team news

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Congo DR is expected to field a strong side for this clash, with e.g Meschack Elia, Arthur Masuakuand skipper Chancellor Mbemba Mangulu keep their starting places.

Simon Banzawho has yet to find the net in this qualifying campaign, should retain his place at centre-forward, while Theo Bongonda will hope to add to his one goal if he keeps his place in attack.

Ethiopia stood up Amanuel Erbo and Abdulkarim Worku in a front two final time out and they are likely to retain their places for Tuesday’s clash.

Chernet Gugsa, Bereket Desta Dana, Amanuel Yohannes Gamoand Abinet Demission could also keep their places in the midfield four.

Congo DR possible starting line-up:
Bertaud; Masuaku, Baka, Mbemba, Kalulu; Sadiki, Moutoussamy, Pickel; Elia, Banza, Bongonda

Ethiopia’s possible starting line-up:
Habtamu; Bekele, Zegeye, Belay, Werkneh; Gamo, Dana, Demissie, Gugsa; Erbo, Worku

We say: Congo DR 2-0 Ethiopia

Ethiopia have been very poor in this AFCON qualifying campaign, putting in uninspiring performances and that is not expected to change on Tuesday – which is why we believe Congo DR’s quality will see them through.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, please click here.

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