Posted in: 05/06/2022 – 00:04

The Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will not cease to amaze football fans across the continent. On June 4, 2022 in Kinshasa, Gabon already achieved a feat by defeating the Democratic Republic of the Congo team, in the first group of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

An unexpected result: the Panthers have already arrived in Congo three hours before kick-off, which was initially scheduled for 4pm UTC but was postponed to 8pm UTC in agreement with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The Gabonese, who had been stuck in Barcelona for several days due to a problem with air transport, appeared at the Martyrs’ Stadium without their coach Patrice Nevio and some players who have temporarily resided in Spain.

Despite all these hurdles, Xavi Babika found a way to open the scoring for Gabon in the 23rd minute. Then the Congolese pushed to save themselves from the hiccups. And their winger Elijah sent the ball over the crossbar with a free kick (64). But the visitors held out and left this (very) short stay in Kinshasa by three points.

Decisive Sudan – Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Panthers will try to take advantage of this advantage on June 8th in Franceville against Mauritania, during the second day of this qualifier. The Mauritanians also won on Saturday evening. Al-Mourabitoun dominated Sudan 3-0 in Nouakchott thanks to the double of Abu Bakr Kamara (27 from a penalty kick and 30th place), as well as the achievement of Abdullah Mahmoud (77).

The first day’s losers, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, will face each other in Omdurman, also on Wednesday. The Leopards, coached by Hector Cuper, will have to score on Sudanese soil, to erase this new poor performance.