Congo Republic Vs South Sudan

Congo and South Sudan are set to begin their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign with a crucial encounter at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Debat on Thursday. Both teams are keen to kick off their journey towards securing a spot in the prestigious continental tournament, having endured mixed fortunes in their recent outings. The match marks the first of a series of vital fixtures that will ultimately determine who progresses to the next edition of AFCON in Morocco.

The Bright Stars of South Sudan will be particularly eager to turn their fortunes around after a string of underwhelming performances. Since securing a narrow 2-1 victory over Congo during the 2023 AFCON qualifiers in March 2023, South Sudan has struggled to maintain momentum. They have failed to secure a win in any of their subsequent four competitive matches, an alarming statistic that has seen their form plummet. Thursday’s clash represents a significant opportunity for the Bright Stars to break this winless streak and kick-start their AFCON campaign in positive fashion.

Match Preview: Congo's Struggles in Recent Outings

Congo, known as the Red Devils, are coming off a particularly harrowing defeat. In their most recent outing on June 11, 2024, they suffered a devastating 6-0 loss against Morocco in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at the Stade Adrar. The Atlas Lions, led by Olympiacos striker Ayoub El Kaabi, dominated the match from start to finish. El Kaabi’s hat-trick headlined the game, with additional goals from Azzedine Ounahi, Chadi Riad, and Soufiane Rahimi completing the rout. Congo was outclassed in all departments, with Morocco displaying superior quality in attack, midfield, and defense.

This heavy defeat against Morocco came after another setback for Congo, as they lost 4-2 to Zambia in the opening match of their World Cup qualifying campaign in November 2023. With these back-to-back defeats, Congo finds itself at the bottom of Group E, having failed to pick up any points from the first two matches of the World Cup qualifying campaign. It’s been a worrying time for Isaac Ngata’s side, as their current form raises significant doubts about their prospects in both the World Cup and AFCON qualifying tournaments.

Congo’s recent results in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers also left much to be desired. The Red Devils managed to secure two wins but also suffered three defeats in six matches, finishing third in Group G. This disappointing performance meant they failed to qualify for the continental tournament, marking the fourth consecutive AFCON edition they have missed. Congo last made an appearance at AFCON in 2015 when they advanced from the group stage only to be eliminated by Congo DR in a thrilling 4-2 quarter-final defeat. Their inability to qualify for AFCON in recent years has been a significant setback for the nation’s football ambitions.

As they prepare for Thursday’s match against South Sudan, Congo is under pressure to reverse its poor form. The team has not secured a victory in their last six competitive matches across all competitions, which includes a mix of World Cup qualifiers and friendlies. For Isaac Ngata and his players, a strong start to the AFCON qualifying campaign is crucial if they are to restore confidence and hope of reaching Morocco in 2025.

Adding to the intrigue of this fixture is the history between these two sides. Congo and South Sudan last faced off in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, with each team securing a result. South Sudan managed a win in one encounter, while the other match ended in a draw. These previous meetings add an extra layer of intensity to Thursday’s match, as both teams are familiar with each other's style of play.

South Sudan: A Team Searching for Form

Like their Congolese counterparts, South Sudan enters this match in desperate need of a victory to turn their fortunes around. Their most recent match ended in a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Sudan in a World Cup qualifier on June 11. The defeat was a tough pill to swallow for the Bright Stars, as their defense crumbled under pressure from their northern neighbors. Walieldin Khidir opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime, setting the tone for Sudan to dominate the second half. Yasir Mozamil and Mohamed Abdelrahman added two more goals after the break, securing a comfortable win for Sudan and leaving South Sudan searching for answers.

This defeat extended South Sudan’s winless run in World Cup qualifiers, where they have struggled to find consistency. With two draws and two losses in their four matches, the Bright Stars are languishing in fifth place in Group B, with only two points from a possible 12. This poor form has raised concerns about their ability to compete at the highest level, and they will need to significantly improve if they are to challenge for a place in the 2025 AFCON.

South Sudan’s recent struggles extend beyond their World Cup qualifying campaign. Since their victory over Congo in March 2023, the Bright Stars have failed to win a match in regulation time. Their winless run now stretches to nine consecutive matches, with five losses and four draws during that period. This includes their AFCON preliminary round clash against Sao Tome and Principe, where they eventually progressed on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw over two legs. While their advancement in the tournament was a positive outcome, the inability to secure a win in normal time highlights the team’s ongoing issues in front of goal and their inability to close out games.

Despite these struggles, South Sudan will look to draw confidence from their recent head-to-head encounters with Congo. Their 2-1 victory in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers remains a bright spot in what has otherwise been a challenging period for the team. Coach Nicolas Dupuis will be hoping his side can replicate that performance and get their AFCON qualifying campaign off to a flying start.

Key Players to Watch

For Congo, much of their attacking threat will come from the experienced striker Thievy Bifouma, who has been a consistent performer for the national team over the years. Bifouma’s ability to hold up play and create chances for his teammates will be crucial if Congo is to break down South Sudan’s defense. Additionally, Congo will look to their midfield general Prince Oniangue to control the tempo of the game and provide the necessary defensive cover against South Sudan’s counter-attacking threats.

On the other side, South Sudan will be looking to their star player, Tito Okello, to lead the line and provide the attacking spark. Okello, who has been a key figure for the Bright Stars in recent years, will need to be at his best if South Sudan is to pose a serious threat to Congo’s backline. In midfield, Peter Maker’s energy and vision will be vital in dictating play and ensuring South Sudan can compete in the center of the park.

The Battle of Tactics

From a tactical perspective, both teams will be cautious given their recent struggles. Congo is likely to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with a focus on defensive solidity and hitting South Sudan on the counter-attack. Isaac Ngata will prioritize shoring up his side’s defense after conceding six goals against Morocco and will likely deploy two defensive midfielders to protect the backline.

South Sudan, under Nicolas Dupuis, is expected to adopt a more conservative approach, with a 4-4-2 setup aimed at frustrating Congo and exploiting any mistakes on the break. Given their recent lack of goals, Dupuis may opt for a more defensive strategy, ensuring his team remains compact and difficult to break down.

Conclusion

As Congo and South Sudan prepare to lock horns in this crucial AFCON qualifier, both teams are under immense pressure to deliver a result. For Congo, it’s about bouncing back from a disastrous run of form, while South Sudan will be seeking their first win in over nine matches. The match promises to be a tightly contested affair, with both sides determined to get their qualifying campaign off to a positive start. The outcome could have significant implications for the rest of the group stage, as a victory would provide much-needed momentum for the winner, while defeat would further dent the confidence of an already struggling side.