PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: DRC and Villarreal hopes rest on in-form Cedric Bakambu

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Monday Oct 30, 2017. 19:00

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) striker has started the 2017/18 season like a house on fire for both his country and club.

Bakambu has incredibly netted 11 goals in 12 competitive appearances for DRC and his Spanish club, Villarreal CF.

The Ivry-sur-Seine-born forward began the campaign slowly failing to score in Villarreal's first two La Liga matches which were against Real Sociedad and Real Betis.

However, Bakambu rediscovered his scoring form against Deportivo Alaves on match day three - as his brace inspired the Yellow Submarines to a 3-0 away win last month.

The following month, the former Sochaux FC frontman remarkably scored six goals in three consecutive La Liga matches which were against Eibar, Las Palmas and Girona.

To date Bakambu has hit the back of the net eight times in nine league appearances for Villarreal, who are placed sixth on the La Liga standings.

The Yellow Submarines, who are three points behind third-placed Real Madrid, are looking to finish in the top four and qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League.

There's doubt that Javier Calleja's side will stand a good chance of achieving their target this season if Bakambu stays in injury free and he maintains his goal scoring form.

Bakambu, who was born in France to Congolese parents, is also one of DRC's key players as they look to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals which will be hosted by Russia.

The 26-year-old prolific marksman has netted twice in DRC's last three World Cup qualifiers and he will look inspire his nation to victory against Guinea in Kinshasa next weekend.

The Leopards need to win by at least three clear goals and hope that current Group A leaders, Tunisia lose to Libya in Rades on the final match day of the CAF World Cup qualifiers.