Our prediction for this Africa Cup of Nations 2024 match:
Congo
Match Time & Date:
04/06/2022
11:00 AM
Prediction: 1-0
Gabon
D.R. Congo and Gabo square off against each other at Stade des Martyrs in what is expected to be one of the most interesting games of Saturday’s program. D.R. Congo were outplayed by Morocco in the 2022 World Cup playoffs, and, no doubt, they are eager to bounce back from the heart-breaking defeat. A man to keep an eye on in Hector Cuper’s team will be Young Boys attacker Meschak Elia, who scored 6 goals in 21 appearances for the national team.
The Panthers, on the other hand, will not rely on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang anymore as he has retired from international football. The Barcelona ace will be sorely missed in Saturday’s clash, which is probably the main reason why we are tempted to put our money on the home side. In their last meeting in a competitive match Gabon crushed D.R. Congo 3-0, meaning that the hosts are hungry for revenge.
Highlighted Player (Neeskens Kebano):
Despite the fact that he was born in France Neeskens Kebano represents Congo on the international stage. Kebano has 6 caps for France U20 team, but made his debut for the first team with Congo on 15 October, 2014. The right-footed midfielder scored on his debut and it has to be noted that Congo defeated Ivory Coast 4-3 back then.
Kebano started his club career at Paris Saint-Germain, playing eight league games for les Parisiens in Ligue 1. After ending his loan spell with Caen he joined Charleroi in 2013 and he scored 36 goals in 77 league appearances for the Belgian outfit. Genk scouts spotted him during the 2014/2015 season and he moved to the fellow Belgian side in the summer of 2015.
After spending one season at Genk, he signed a three-year contract with Fulham on 26 August, 2016. He made his Fulham debut the next day against Blackburn Rovers. Reports in England said that he terrorised Blackburn defence. His contract with the Cottagers expires on 30 June, 2019.
Highlighted Team (Gabon):
Gabon made their international debut in April 1960, with the team participating in L’Amitie tournament and it has to be noted that les Pantheres (the Panthers) were beaten by Burkina Faso in their first match. The Gabonese national football team have yet to participate at the World Cup finals, but they did well to make it to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on two occasions.
Les Pantheres were eliminated by Tunisia at the 1996 African Cup of Nations, while Mali proved to be a big catch for Gabon at the 2012 tournament. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is probably the most notable footballer who plays for Gabon and the Borussia Dortmund striker scored three goals for the national team at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, but he missed a penalty in the quarter-finals against Mali.
Gabon clinched the UNIFAC Cup title in 1999, while winning UDEAC Championship in 1985 and 1988. Stade Omar Bongo is considered Gabon’s home stadium.
