2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Group A preview
By Liam Bekker
DR Congo, Egypt, Uganda and Zimbabwe will compete in Group A at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Here’s what to expect from each side.
With a combined nine titles between the them, Egypt and DR Congo will be favourites to take the two top spots in Group A at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament. Hosts Egypt will be looking to claim a record-extending eighth title while DR Congo are among the favourites to go far in the tournament.
Uganda are rank outsiders and Zimbabwe have never progressed beyond the group stages of the competition but both nations enjoyed strong qualification campaigns and could make the most of the tournament’s new format. This year’s expanded competition will see 24 teams take part which means the four best third-placed teams across the various groups will progress to the knockout stages.
DR CONGO
The Democratic Republic of Congo will be making their 19th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations during this year’s competition. The central African nation boasts two winners’ medals, having lifted the trophy as Zaire in 1968 and 1974, and most recently reached the quarter-finals at the 2017 edition in Gabon. Ranked 49th in the world, they are the highest ranked nation in Group A and the fifth highest at the competition.
Qualification
Florent Ibenge’s side were drawn in their qualification group alongside Liberia, Zimbabwe and namesakes, Congo. They kicked things off in June 2017 with a 3-1 win against the latter where star striker Cedric Bakambu scored twice either side of a Thievy Bifouma goal. It was far from plain sailing from that point on though, as three draws and defeat left DR Congo requiring a win from their final match against Liberia to qualify. A second-half goal from Bakambu secured a 1-0 win and saw his side qualify as runners-up to Zimbabwe.
The squad
The Congolese squad is made up of a predominantly European-based core of players, with 15 of the 23-man squad operating across the various European leagues. Domestic players Issama Mpeko and Trésor Mputu are the two most-capped players in the squad with their experience complimented by the quality of players such as Arthur Masuaku, Yannick Bolasie and the aforementioned Bakambu.
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There are, however, a number of notable absentees from Ibenge’s squad. The nation’s all-time leading goalscorer Dieumerci Mbokani has not made the cut and there’s no place for 2017 top goalscorer, Junior Kabananga either.
The national team has also been rocked by administrative mishaps, with forwards Kabongo Kasongo and Jackson Muleka excluded after not receiving their visas and French-born midfielder Gianni Imbula unable to change allegiance after his paperwork was not properly completed in time.
Key player: Cedric Bakambu
Bakambu will arguably be DR Congo’s most important player at the Africa Cup of Nations. The 28-year old former French youth international has scored eight goals in 20 appearances since his debut in 2015 and was the nation’s top scorer in AFCON qualifying.
A prolific goalscorer, he will be one of the favorites to claim to claim the Golden Boot award and if he’s able to hit top form then DR Congo might well go on to reach the latter stages of the competition.