Supporters of the Democratic Republic of Congo set the tone for their AFCON 2025 round-of-16 clash with Algeria by gathering outside the Fennecs’ team hotel in Rabat on Tuesday night, hours after learning their next opponents.
News of DR Congo’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Botswana quickly spread through the Moroccan capital.
While qualification already stood secured, many Leopards fans chose to celebrate the result as a statement of intent.
Others immediately turned their focus to the knockout phase and the high-profile meeting with Algeria, scheduled for January 6.
As night fell, a small but vocal group of Congolese supporters made their way to the Marriott Hotel, which has served as Algeria’s base since the start of the tournament.
Their objective remained clear: apply early psychological pressure on the Fennecs and, in particular, their captain Riyad Mahrez.
Standing across the street, fans chanted loudly and repeatedly, calling out Mahrez by name. “Hey Riyad, come on!” they shouted, mixing confidence with provocation.
Several supporters wore shirts bearing the words “not afraid,” a slogan intended to underline their belief and defiance ahead of the knockout contest.
Some even joked about waking the Algerian captain if he happened to rest inside the hotel.
Whether Mahrez heard the chants remains uncertain, but the scene captured the rising tension surrounding this encounter.
The gathering reflected the growing confidence within the Congolese camp, fueled by a convincing group-stage performance and a sense that the team can challenge one of Africa’s traditional heavyweights.
History adds another layer to the anticipation. Algeria and DR Congo have shared evenly balanced meetings in recent years.
The last three friendly matches between the sides ended in draws, the most recent coming in 2019. At the Africa Cup of Nations, their paths crossed twice in the group stage.
Algeria claimed a narrow 1-0 win in Morocco in 1988, before both teams played out a goalless draw in Ghana in 2000.
This time, the stakes rise higher. The knockout format leaves no room for caution or compromise. A winner must emerge, and both sets of supporters know it.
As kickoff approaches, the noise outside the hotel offers a glimpse of what awaits inside the stadium.
Passion, pride, and pressure will define this clash, long before the first whistle sounds.
Les congolais sont manifestement très confiants, ils se sont rassemblés devant l’hôtel de la sélection algérienne pour faire passer un message au capitaine Riyad Mahrez ! 🇨🇩 🥶#Algérie #CAN2025 🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/r8tGtbnFCE
— FARID BOUSSALEM (@faridmca1921) December 30, 2025
