AFCON 2019
Madagascar vs DR Congo
Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria
Sunday, 07-07-2019 @7pm
AFCON debutants Madagascar will lock horns with DR Congo in the African Cup of Nations round of 16 contest in Alexandria, Egypt on Sunday evening.
The tournament newcomers made it to the knockout phase in dramatic fashion as they finished top of group B in their first ever appearance at the competition.
They beat three time winners Nigeria 2-0 in their previous game as they registered another success at the continental showpiece.
Their opponents, DR Congo are ahead by 59 places in the FIFA rankings but only scraped through Group A in third place, courtesy of a 4-0 victory over Zimbabwe.
The Leopards are making their 18th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations and are 1968 and 1974 winners.
Madagascar could become the first team to go unbeaten in their first four AFCON games since Libya in thr 1982 edition.
The two time winners have won four of their past 10 games at the competition (D2 L4), after winning two of the previous 22 ( D11 L9).
This is the fifth meeting between the two sides, DR. Congo have won three of the last four games and the Barea have only registered one win. They last faced off in June, 2016 with Congo winning 6-1.
Nicolas Dupuis’ side will look up to Charles Andrimahitsinoro who has been involved in three of Madagascar’s five goals ( 2 goals and 1 assist). Experienced winger Lalaina Nomenjanahary is also expected to cause problems to the Congolese defence in wide areas.
Florent Ibenge will rely on Marcel Tisserand, Jonathan Bolinga and Cedric Bakambu for inspiration.
The other game on Sunday
-Algeria vs Guinea
Saturday’s results
-Nigeria 3-2 Cameroon
-Egypt 0-1 South Africa
