As anticipation builds for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 draw set to take place on Monday in Rabat, Morocco, speculation around the potential group stage opponents for DR Congo has sparked intrigue. Placed in Pot 2, DR Congo is positioned as one of the tournament’s dark horses, alongside Tunisia, Cameroon, Mali, South Africa, and Burkina Faso.
The draw will allocate each Pot 2 team to a group consisting of one team from Pot 1 (the top seeds), Pot 3, and Pot 4. With strong competition across all pots, the Leopards could face either a favorable or challenging group stage lineup.
Best-Case Scenario: Nigeria, Uganda, Mozambique
A draw pairing DR Congo with Nigeria from Pot 1 is seen as one of the least daunting prospects. While Nigeria is the current AFCON runner-up, their performance during qualification was less than dominant. They managed just one win on the pitch, defeating Libya 3-2, with their only other victory secured via a forfeit against Libya after disturbances in Al Abraq. The Super Eagles have struggled for cohesion under new coach Eric Chelle, leaving doubts about their form heading into the tournament.
From Pot 3, Uganda would be a manageable opponent for DR Congo. Despite qualifying for AFCON, Uganda’s vulnerabilities were exposed in their encounters with South Africa, the unbeaten leaders of Group K, where they suffered a 2-0 defeat after an earlier 2-2 draw.
Mozambique from Pot 4 completes this hypothetical best-case scenario. Though the Mambas had a respectable qualifying campaign, finishing second to Mali, they have yet to prove themselves against top-tier African sides, which could make them less of a threat to the Leopards.
Worst-Case Scenario: Morocco, Zambia, Sudan
A draw including host nation Morocco would represent a significant challenge for DR Congo. Morocco has been in scintillating form, winning all their qualifying matches with dominant scorelines, such as 9-0 against the Central African Republic and 7-0 against Lesotho. Backed by home support, the Atlas Lions are widely regarded as tournament favorites.
From Pot 3, Zambia presents another formidable challenge. The 2012 African champions topped their qualifying group ahead of defending champions Ivory Coast, showcasing a strong resurgence with three consecutive wins in their final qualifying matches.
Finally, Sudan from Pot 4 would be a deceptively tough opponent. Their solid performances, including a 2-0 win over a struggling Ghana and a draw against Angola, indicate they are capable of springing surprises.
As DR Congo awaits their fate, the potential outcomes range from favorable opportunities to formidable obstacles, setting the stage for an intriguing tournament journey.
