DR Congo vs Morocco: Preview, Probable Lineups, Head-to-Head and What to Expect in Nairobi Clash

DR Congo will be hoping to gain safe passage into the quarter-finals when they play Morocco at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday in the 2024 African Nations Championship.

The two teams are level on six points each and the stakes could not be any higher, with qualification scenarios depending on both this game and Kenya's outcome elsewhere.

The Leopards recovered from a disastrous start after losing 1-0 to co-hosts Kenya but quickly regained momentum by beating Zambia and Angola by the same 2-0 score. They have now become serious contenders, falling one point behind leaders Kenya in what has become the most closely contested group in the tournament.

Morocco, however, have returned to the continental stage after they were not there in the last edition, and they are determined to remind everyone why they were two-time back-to-back champions in 2018 and 2020.

The Atlas Lions kicked off well with a 2-0 win against Angola, stumbled against Kenya with a close 1-0 loss, frustrated Zambia 3-1 nonetheless. With both sides desperate to secure their fate in the tournament, the stage has been set for an electrifying match.

DR Congo manager Otis Ngoma will be relying on his side's recent form. His backline, spearheaded by Ndombele and Katumbwe, has been solid in their previous two matches, and the midfield couple of Bisamuna and Basiala has provided solidity as well as flair.

On the attacking front, players like Kitambala and Matobo have been clinical, and Congo are now a well-balanced side.

For Morocco, Tarik Sektioui’s men have shown flashes of brilliance and individual flair. Soufiane Rahimi and Ayoub El Kaabi continue to be the main attacking threats, while Amine Harit’s vision and Sofyan Amrabat’s control in midfield provide stability.

Despite the setback against Kenya, the Atlas Lions look sharp and hungry, and they have enough depth to trouble any opponent.

Historically, both teams have been evenly matched. Morocco have the slender advantage in six games, with two wins, one of which was DR Congo's. Three of their last four matches were stalemates, but typically in high-scoring and intensively contested ones. Both teams have scored in every one of the last four encounters, so supporters can expect another free-flowing match in Nairobi.

In tournament credentials, DR Congo have only once in their six previous attempts not progressed past the group stage, and they have two titles in 2009 and 2016.

Morocco did suffer a rare group-stage ousting in 2016 but bounced back to claim consecutive titles. With both nations boasting rich tournament history, this match is like anything less than a group-stage match—it is a battle of giants.

DR Congo: Efongue; Ndombele, Ntambwe, Katumbwe, Kokelea; Bisamuna, Basiala, Mika; Kitambala, Nyambo, Matobo

Morocco: Munir; El-Wahdi, El-Yamiq, Masina; Amrabat, Saibari, Ounahi, Belamari; El-Kaabi, Sahraoui, Rahimi