In a bid to make it five wins out of five in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Congo DR contract Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium on Saturday.

The Syli National go into the weekend with just two points more than third-placed Tanzania and will be looking to get all three points as they look to seal their place in Morocco next year.

Match example

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Guinea picked up three big points in their bid to finish in the top two in Group H of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers as they cruised to a 3-0 win over Ethiopia at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium on October 15.

Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy grabbed his fourth and fifth goals of the qualifiers on either side Abdoulaye Toure‘s strike in the 19th minute ensured the visitors secured a comfortable win in Ivory Coast.

This made it two successive wins over Ethiopia for the Syli National, who stormed to a 4-1 victory thanks to a first-half hat-trick from Guirassy as the two countries faced off in the first of their October double-header.

Before the victories over Ethiopia, Kaba Diawara‘s men found themselves in the qualifying campaign, losing 1-0 to Congo DR in the September group match, four days before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Tanzania.

Guinea, ranked 78th in the latest FIFA world rankings, has scored six points from a possible 12 to sit second in the Group H standings, two points above third-placed Tanzania heading into the final two matches.

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On the other hand, Congo DR left it late against Tanzania in their most recent AFCON qualifying appearance as they defeated Taifa Stars 2-0 when the two countries faced off on October 15.

With nothing separating the two sides heading into the final three minutes of normal time, substitute Meschack Elia was in action for the visitors as he scored two late goals to win the hearts of Tanzania at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.

Sebastien Desabre‘s men go into Saturday’s match as one of only four teams with a 100% record in the qualifiers. They have won each of their four matches, scoring six goals and keeping four clean sheets so far.

Since losing on penalties to South Africa in the 2023 AFCON third-place play-off in February, the Leopards have gone six straight games without defeat in all competitions, claiming one draw and five wins, including a 1-0 win over Togo in the 2026 competition. FIFA World Cup Qualifier on June 9.

Congo DR will be backing themselves to maintain their perfect AFCON qualifying record on Saturday as they face an opponent who has lost each of their previous five clashes since February 2016.

Qualifying format of the Guinea Africa Cup of Nations:

Guinea form (all competitions):

Congo DR Africa Cup of Nations Qualification format:

Congo DR form (all competitions):

Team news

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With his brace against Ethiopia last time out, Guirassy has now scored five goals in just two games in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the 28-year-old striker will look to deliver the goods once again.

He should form the attacking quartet François Kamano, Seydouba Cisse and Arouca forward Morlaye Syllawhile Touré and Mady Camara should form the two-man pivot in midfield.

On the defensive side of the pitch, we expect Diawara to name four backs Antoine Conte, Saidou Zaai, Ibrahim Diakite and that of Montpellier Issiaga Syllawith 25 year old Moussa Camara start again between the sticks.

Congo DR has called up a solid 25-man squad for November’s qualifiers against Guinea and Ethiopia, with the likes of Elia, Arthur Masuaku and skipper Pulpit Mbemba leading the team.

Elia scored twice in a 30-minute cameo to inspire the Leopards to a 2-0 win over Tanzania last time out and the Young Boys forward could be given a starting role this weekend, along with Theo Bongonda and 28 years old Simon Banza on attack.

Mbemba and 31 years old Henoc Baka should form the central defender, while we expect a trio in midfield Samuel Moutoussamy, Charles Pickel and Watford man Edo Kayembe.

Possible starting line-up for Guinea:
Camera; A Sylla, Conte, Sow, Diakite; Toure, Camara; Kamano, Cisse, M Sylla; Guirassy

Possible starting line-up Congo DR:
Bertaud; Masuaku, Inonga, Mbemba, Kalulu; Bertaud; Kayembe, Moutoussamy, Pickel; Mvumpa, Banza, Bongonda

We say: Guinea 2-1 Congo DR

Needing all three points to seal their spot in the 2025 AFCON, we expect Guinea to go all out at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium this weekend. While Congo DR is currently firing on all cylinders in the qualifiers, the Syli National has improved a lot since the two sides clashed in September and we predict they will come away with the desired result.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, click here.

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