2023 AFCON: DR Congo v Zambia preview

Patson Daka of Zambia celebrates goal with teammates during the 2023 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers match between Lesotho and Zambia at the Dobsonville Stadium, Soweto on the 26 March 2023 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Thando Mpembe

Tuesday Jan 16, 2024. 14:21

The second match on day five of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations pits DR Congo against Zambia in Group F at the Laurent Pokou Stadium.

Date: Wednesday, 17 January 2024

Kick-off: 22h00 CAT

Head-to-head: Four of the five previous encounters between the two teams ended in draws. They’ve met once before at AFCON which came in the 2015 edition when Yannick Bolasie (66′) cancelled out Given Singuluma’s second-minute opener for the Copper Bullets to earn a 1-1 draw during the group stages. The four other matches all took place in 2005 as Zambia managed a solitary 4-1 in a friendly on December 14.

DR Congo’s last three results: The Leopards are winless in their last three games, having lost 1-0 to Sudan in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on November 19 before warming up for the tournament in Ivory Coast with a 0-0 draw against Angola on January 6 and a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Burkina Faso four days later.

Zambia’s last three results: Avram Grant’s side kicked off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over Congo on November, but then slumped to a 2-1 loss against Niger four days later. They concluded their AFCON preparations with a 1-1 draw against Cameroon on January 9.

Team news: DR Congo must do without Dylan Batubinsika after the centre-back picked up his second yellow card of the AFCON qualifying campaign against Sudan on matchday 6, ruling him out through suspension. Frankie Musonda is expected to fit for Zambia after recovering from an injury that saw him miss their final four matches in 2023.

Key player – DR Congo: Cedric Bakambu will be hoping for a productive campaign in Ivory Coast as he sets his sights on Dieumerci Mbokani’s record as DR Congo’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals. The 32-year-old striker is just six goals shy of matching that feat after scoring in a 1-1 draw with New Zealand on October 13.

Key player – Zambia: Patson Daka is in red-hot form for Chipolopolo, having bagged 10 goals in his last eight appearances. The 25-year-old striker’s goalscoring exploits at international level saw him win back his place in the Leicester team and he netted four times in six starts during the festive period.