Morocco vs DR Congo
After thrashing Tanzania 3-0 yesterday, Morocco can seal their passage to the AFCON knockout stage should they beat DR Congo this weekend at the Laurent Pokou Stadium.
With two more matchdays left and already with a win, all Morocco need is one more win to advance. But DR Congo are determined to get their first win of the tournament in order to get a step ahead of Group F.
DR Congo just came off a 1-1 draw against Zambia last night, which feels like a missed opportunity.
The pre-game SBOTOP betting odds like Morocco’s chances to win not only this game but also the whole tournament. But let’s see if DR Congo have something to say about that.
Talking Points
En-Nesyri makes history for Morocco
Youssef En-Nesyri was able to put on the finishing touches of Morocco’s dominant display over Tanzania when he scored the match’s final goal during the 80th minute.
This means that En-Nesyri is now the first Moroccan to score in four AFCON tournaments, which is commendable considering he has yet to reach his 30s. He scored his maiden AFCON goal in Morocco’s 2-1 win over Togo in 2017.
And with Sevilla, En-Nesyri continues to lead them in scoring with seven goals, so it’s safe to say that he remains in great form.
En-Nesyri will surely be crucial to Morocco’s title ambitions as they look to snap their 48-year continental trophy drought, and he will have a strong team around him.
Other than En-Nesyri, Azzedine Ounahi, Hakim Ziyech, and Abde Ezzalzouli are all capable of creating AFCON 2023 highlights in the final third too.
And on the defencive end, the Atlas Lions are also covered with Sofyan Amrabat as their pivot man, covering the likes of Romain Saiss, Nayef Aguerd, Achraf Hakimi, and goalie Yassine Bounou.
With much of their 2022 World Cup core intact, it would be shocking if Morocco didn’t make it far in this tournament.
DR Congo lacking the cutting edge
The reason why the 1-1 draw against Zambia feels like a missed opportunity for DR Congo is because it was a winnable game for them.
After Kings Kangwa gave Zambia a one-goal lead in the 23rd minute, Yoane Wissa swiftly pulled one back for DR Congo in just four minutes, and momentum was on their side.
DR Congo were the better side as the match wore on, but they couldn’t find a winner despite having 25 shots total compared to Zambia’s three. The Leopards also controlled 57-per cent possession compared to Zambia’s 43-per cent.
Wissa, Theo Bongonda, Simon Banza, and Silas all failed to convert on their succeeding chances, so the Leopards were forced to settle for a point.
The Brentford winger was named Man of the Match for his solid performance against Zambia, but he’ll need help from his fellow forwards in the final third, especially against a well-drilled Morocco team.
History
Morocco and DR Congo have shared the spoils in two of their last three encounters, recording back-to-back 1-1 results in a 2020 friendly game and during their World Cup qualifying match on March 25, 2022.
After the draw on March 25, 2022, Morocco went on to beat DR Congo 4-1 four days later.
Speaking of the 2022 World Cup, we all know what happened for Morocco, as they became the surprise package of the tournament, finishing in fourth place while capturing the hearts of football fans.
In stark contrast, DR Congo only qualified once for the World Cup, in 1974.
Back in the AFCON, DR Congo have won two golds (1968 and 1974) in this tournament, while Morocco have only won one gold (1976) and one silver (2004).
DR Congo won their only AFCON meeting with Morocco thus far, which was a 1-0 result in January 2017.
Betting Tip
As mentioned earlier, the AFCON 2023 odds favour Morocco to win on Sunday. The Atlas Lions are priced at 1.57, while the Leopards are 5.00 underdogs, and a draw is at 3.27 odds in the 1X2 market.
DR Congo are a stronger team than Tanzania, so this is not a walk in the park for Morocco, even if the betting odds say otherwise. The Leopards will definitely put up a fight, but the Atlas Lions should ultimately move on to the next round with their second straight victory.
For alternative bets, we reckon that goals will only come few and far between, making options like Under 2.00 at 2.07, Total Goal 0-1 at 2.65, and 2-3 at 1.90 all worth considering.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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