DR Congo Leopards Ready for High-Stakes Quarter-Final Against Congo Red Devils
The stage is set for a rare and intense encounter between two neighboring rivals, the DR Congo Leopards and the Congo Red Devils, as they prepare to face off in the quarter-finals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Separated only by the Congo River, these two teams meeting at this late stage is a remarkable event in African football.
While Congo-Brazzaville topped a challenging Group A, the DR Congo qualified with three draws behind Tunisia, making less of a splash in the group stage. Yet, the Leopards are determined to prove their worth and secure a place in the semi-finals.
All players, except injured midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu, participated in a focused training session covering attacking strategies, defensive organization, set-piece preparation, and penalty practice. Goalkeepers also received specialized training.
Assistant coach Mwinyi Zahera told Radio Okapi, “We are not just hoping to qualify against Congo-Brazzaville — we want to advance to the semi-finals on Saturday.”
The Leopards last reached an AFCON semi-final in 1998, finishing third after a dramatic penalty shootout win against hosts Burkina Faso.
This quarter-final promises fierce competition and a historic showdown for both teams and their passionate supporters.
