South Africa will face Congo Republic in the Preliminary Round of the Africa Cup of Nations on October 11, with the match scheduled to kick off at 19:00 SA local time.
The South African national football team, often referred to as Bafana Bafana, will meet the Republic of the Congo national team for the first time in 10 years. Their last encounter in a Group A qualifying match ended in a 0-0 draw. South Africa heads into this fixture on the back of a strong run, having defeated South Sudan in the Preliminary Round on September 10. This victory extended their unbeaten streak to 10 matches.
Congo Republic, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat against Uganda on September 9. Defensive issues have plagued their recent performances, with the team conceding goals in their last four consecutive away games. Improving their defense will be crucial if they hope to secure a positive result in this upcoming match.
South Africa vs. Congo Republic Starting Lineups Today
As the match between South Africa and Congo approaches, the official starting line-ups have yet to be announced. However, based on recent form and player availability, here is a predicted starting lineup for both teams:
South Africa Possible Starting Lineups Vs Congo Republic
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- Ronwen Williams
- Nyiko Mobbie
- Siyanda Xulu
- Nkosinathi Sibisi
- Terrence Mashego
- Teboho Mokoena
- Mothobi Mvala
- Themba Zwane
- Percy Tau
- Zakhele Lepasa
- Lyle Foster
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Congo Republic Possible Starting Lineups Vs South Africa
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- Christoffer Mafoumbi
- Fernand Mayembo
- Baron Kibamba
- Marvin Baudry
- Dimitri Bissiki
- Silvere Ganvoula
- Prince Oniangué
- Hardy Binguila
- Ravy Tsouka
- Thievy Bifouma
- Guy Mbenza
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The final line-ups will be confirmed closer to kickoff, but these predicted line-ups are based on each team’s recent formations, key players, and tactical setups.
Head-to-Head: South Africa vs. Congo Republic
South Africa and Congo have faced each other twice since October 2014. South Africa holds the advantage with one win, while one match ended in a draw. The most recent encounter was on October 15, 2014, in the Group A qualifying round for the Africa Cup of Nations, which ended in a goalless draw. Over the two meetings, South Africa scored 2 goals, while Congo failed to score. Overall, South Africa has a superior head-to-head record against Congo in recent history.
Results:
| Date | Competition | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2014 | Qualifying Round, Group A | South Africa | 0 – 0 | Congo Republic |
| Oct 11, 2014 | Qualifying Round, Group A | Congo Republic | 0 – 2 | South Africa |
Recent Form: South Africa vs. Congo Republic
South Africa
South Africa comes into this match after a 2-3 victory over South Sudan on September 10. Over their last 20 matches, South Africa has won 7, drawn 10, and lost 3. In their most recent 6 matches, they secured 3 wins, 3 draws, and no losses.
South Africa’s Last 6 Matches:
- Win: 2-3 vs. South Sudan (10 Sept)
- Draw: 2-2 vs. Uganda (6 Sept)
- Win: 1-0 vs. Eswatini (2 July)
- Draw: 0-0 vs. Botswana (29 June)
- Draw: 1-1 vs. Mozambique (26 June)
- Win: 3-1 vs. Zimbabwe (11 June)
Congo Republic
Congo enters the match following a 2-0 defeat against Uganda on September 9. In their last 20 matches, Congo has won 4, drawn 5, and lost 11. In their most recent 6 matches, they have 1 win, 2 draws, and 3 losses.
Congo’s Last 6 Matches:
- Loss: 0-2 vs. Uganda (9 Sept)
- Win: 1-0 vs. South Sudan (5 Sept)
- Loss: 0-6 vs. Morocco (11 June)
- Loss: 4-2 vs. Zambia (17 Nov)
- Draw: 1-1 vs. Gabon (25 March)
- Draw: 2-2 vs. Gambia (10 Sept)
Betting Tips: South Africa vs. Congo Republic
Match Details:
- Date: October 11
- Kickoff Time: 19:00 SA local time
- Venue: TBD
- Competition: Africa Cup of Nations Preliminary Round
South Africa will face Congo in this crucial Africa Cup of Nations Preliminary Round match. Below is a detailed breakdown of both teams’ recent form, head-to-head record, and betting tips to help you make informed decisions.
1. Head-to-Head Comparison
South Africa holds the upper hand in the recent head-to-head record against Congo. They’ve met twice since 2014, with South Africa winning one match and drawing the other. Over these two encounters, South Africa has scored 2 goals, while Congo has failed to score, giving South Africa a psychological edge heading into this match.
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2014 | South Africa 0-0 Congo Republic |
| Oct 11, 2014 | Congo Republic 0-2 South Africa |
Verdict: South Africa’s solid history against Congo makes them the favorites in this matchup.
2. Recent Form and Team Performance
South Africa
South Africa is on an impressive unbeaten run of 10 matches, with their most recent match being a 3-2 win against South Sudan on September 10. Their form at home is solid, and they’ve managed to grind out results, securing wins and avoiding defeats even in tough situations.
Key Stats (Last 6 Matches):
- Wins: 3
- Draws: 3
- Losses: 0
South Africa’s defensive organization and ability to hold teams to low-scoring games have been a strength, as seen in their 0-0 draw against Botswana and a 1-0 win against Eswatini. Despite a few drawn matches, their goal-scoring ability has been consistent, and they’ll look to maintain this form against Congo.
Congo Republic
Congo, on the other hand, has struggled in recent matches. They come into this game on the back of a 2-0 loss to Uganda on September 9. They’ve lost 3 of their last 6 games, conceding a total of 12 goals, including a heavy 6-0 defeat to Morocco.
Key Stats (Last 6 Matches):
- Wins: 1
- Draws: 2
- Losses: 3
Congo has been inconsistent defensively, especially in away matches. Their key concern will be shoring up their defense, which has conceded multiple goals in recent fixtures.
3. Key Players
South Africa
- Percy Tau: The forward is South Africa’s main attacking threat. His pace and technical ability will be key in breaking down Congo’s defense.
- Ronwen Williams: The experienced goalkeeper has been solid at the back, ensuring South Africa remains difficult to break down.
Congo Republic
- Silvere Ganvoula: Congo’s best hope in attack, Ganvoula needs to step up if Congo wants to find the back of the net. His physical presence could trouble South Africa’s defense.
- Prince Oniangué: The experienced midfielder will need to control the tempo and provide leadership in what promises to be a tough away match.
4. Betting Tips and Predictions
1. Match Winner – South Africa to Win
South Africa comes into this match as the favorites, given their unbeaten streak and their previous record against Congo. With Congo struggling in away matches and defensively, South Africa is well-positioned to take the win.
- Tip: Back South Africa to win.
- Odds: Likely between 1.50 and 1.75 (subject to bookmaker).
2. Total Goals – Under 2.5
Given South Africa’s ability to grind out low-scoring results and Congo’s poor scoring record in recent games, this match could see fewer goals. While South Africa is expected to win, it might not be a high-scoring affair.
- Tip: Under 2.5 goals.
- Odds: Likely between 1.60 and 1.85.
3. Both Teams to Score – No
Congo has failed to score in 4 of their last 6 matches, and their attack has looked disjointed. South Africa’s solid defensive record suggests they could keep a clean sheet in this match.
- Tip: Both Teams to Score – No.
- Odds: Likely between 1.60 and 1.80.
4. Correct Score Prediction: 2-0 to South Africa
Given Congo’s poor defensive form and South Africa’s ability to control games, a 2-0 scoreline in favor of the home team looks like a reasonable prediction.
- Tip: Correct Score 2-0.
- Odds: Likely around 6.00 to 7.00.
5. First Goalscorer – Percy Tau
Percy Tau has been a key attacking player for South Africa and is likely to be involved in the opening goal. Backing him to be the first goalscorer is a solid option.
- Tip: Percy Tau to score first.
- Odds: Likely around 4.00 to 5.00.
5. Conclusion and Final Prediction
South Africa’s recent form and historical dominance over Congo make them strong favorites in this fixture. With Congo’s struggles in defense, it’s likely that South Africa will capitalize on their opponent’s vulnerabilities. Expect a low-scoring game with South Africa coming out on top, likely by a 2-0 margin.
Final Prediction: South Africa 2-0 Congo Republic
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