DR Congo’s U20 side secured a confident 2-0 victory over Tunisia in a preparatory friendly match held Thursday at the Chedly Zouiten Stadium, as both teams continue their build-up to the upcoming U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The young Leopards set the tone early, applying consistent pressure and capitalising on Tunisia’s defensive lapses to assert control over the match.
Their dominance was rewarded in the 37th minute when Tonny Talasi found the back of the net, giving DR Congo a deserved lead before half-time.
Despite Tunisia’s efforts to mount a comeback in the second half, they struggled to convert opportunities into goals.
A missed penalty proved to be a crucial turning point, highlighting their lack of cutting edge in the final third.
DR Congo, meanwhile, maintained their composure and sealed the win deep into stoppage time, with Isaac Lufuiku scoring in the 93rd minute to cap off a strong team performance.
The match served as a crucial test for both sides ahead of the continental competition, offering coaches a final opportunity to evaluate tactics, combinations, and player form.
For DR Congo, the performance demonstrated both tactical discipline and offensive sharpness, qualities they hope to carry into their tournament opener.
Tunisia, despite the defeat, showed spells of promise in possession and build-up play but will need to address their finishing woes quickly if they hope to make an impact when the U20 Africa Cup of Nations begins.
“This friendly was important to gauge our readiness,” said one DR Congo team official. “The result is encouraging, but we know the real work begins in Egypt.”
Tunisia will kick off their U20 AFCON campaign on 1 May, while DR Congo is set to take to the field the following day, on 2 May.
Both sides are aiming to make a strong impression at the tournament and will be drawing on these final moments of preparation to refine their strategies.
With momentum on their side, the Congolese team will enter the competition in high spirits, buoyed by a performance that showcased their depth, discipline, and clinical finishing.
