D.R. Congo vs Guinea prediction: AFRICA: Africa Cup of Nations – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-02-01 20:00.
Fans of DR Congo were sent into delirium in the Round of 16 as they triumphed via a penalty shootout against the record winners of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Egypt. Defeating a side with such pedigree has lit a fire inside of the Congolese, with goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi acting as the eventual hero after failing to save a single penalty but going on to net the winning spot kick to send his nation to their first AFCON quarter final since going out at the same stage in 2017.
Whilst that result puts DR Congo one step closer to a first AFCON glory under their current guise, they may have to work hard to make any further progress after drawing all four of their games at this tournament in 90 minutes. Two of those stalemates saw the Leopards come from behind to avoid defeat, something they may need to do once again in this one after winning their last three H2Hs against Guinea despite failing to keep a clean sheet (discounting ANC).
Jubilant chants of “bing bing so,” backed by trumpets and drum beats filled the air as Guinea defeated rivals Equatorial Guinea to win an AFCON knockout game for the first time in their history in the competition’s current format. That iconic chant means “the elephant is coming,” and so they’ll hope the National Elephant can come storming through once again after winning two of their four games at this tournament (W2, D1, L1).
Prior to that historic success, Guinea had lost their previous three AFCON knockout games without even scoring a goal, with two of those defeats also seeing Guinea pick up a red card for their troubles. There have already been two dismissals in their four AFCON games at this tournament – albeit just one for themselves – hinting that this could again be another feisty game.
Players to watch: Meschack Elia has contributed to two of DR Congo’s three goals at this AFCON tournament (G1, A1), although he’s lost four of his last six scoring appearances for club side Young Boys. Similarly influential for Guinea, Mohamed Bayo has scored two of his nation’s three goals at this tournament, including the dramatic 90th-minute winner to make national history last time out.
Hot stat: There has been only one first-half goal scored across Guinea’s four AFCON games at this tournament.