Afcon Group F fact file

• Published date: 13 January 2024
• Author: Matshelane Mamabolo
• Publication title: Independent on Saturday

Currently No 1 on the continent, the Atlas Lions go into the tournament as favourites simply based on their recent performances on the biggest stage of them all – the Fifa World Cup

The feat that saw them become the first team from Africa to reach the semifinal at the global showpiece has elevated them to incredible heights, and expectations are that they will sweep all before them and add to the 1976 continental triumph.

But football is fickle at the top and nothing can be taken for granted, although it would be a shock of epic proportions were they to fail to progress from arguably the weakest group of the tournament, alongside 2012 champions Zambia, who are returning for the first time since 2015; a DR Congo side that blows hot and cold; as well as tiny Tanzania, who are going for their third appearance.

Though you’d expect Morocco to top the group, with the DRC and Zambia left to battle it out for second spot, history suggests it won’t be that easy.

Five times the Atlas Lions have played against the DRC Leopards in the group stages and things are even – with the two countries having drawn 1-1 on three occasions and each boasting a 1-0 victory. Against Zambia, Morocco has a win and a draw. Still, you’d fancy Morocco to top the group.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Nickname: Leopards

Rankings: Africa – 13, world – 67

Previous appearances: 19

Best finish: Champions 1968, 1974

Coach: Sebastien Desabre (FRA)

Star player: Chancel Mbemba

The Olympique Marseille star goes into the tournament on the back of a great year during which he won the Marc Vivien-Foé Prize for the best African Ligue 1 player of the season.

The award was particularly special in that Mbemba – who previously played for Anderlecht, Newcastle and Porto – was the first defender to ever win the award. Not only is he a solid defender but he can score goals too. He found the opposition net seven times in 43 matches.

An Afcon veteran, he has participated in three tournaments from 2015 through 2017 and 2019, when the Leopards finished third in the first and reached the quarters in the second.

The player, once described by Claude Le Roy as “multi-functional with great intelligence for the game, a natural tactical sense, power, speed and great technical ability” is sure to play a pivotal role as the DRC fight for the second spot against Zambia.

SQUAD Goalkeepers: Dimitry Bertaud (Montpellier/FRA), Lionel Mpasi (Rodez/FRA), Baggio Siadi (TP Mazembe) Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Saint Etienne/FRA)...