Congo DR maintained their perfect start to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on 9 September with a comfortable 2-0 win over Ethiopia at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.

In an action-packed encounter between the two sides, Ethiopia were guilty of a lack of cutting edge in front of goal as Theo Bongonda and Fiston Mayele struck in the second half to give the visitors all three points.

This followed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Guinea in Kinshasa on 3 September, when Watford midfielder Edo Kayembe scored the only goal of the game in the 27th minute to give Congo DR a dream start to their campaign for a place in Morocco.

Since their heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat to South Africa in the 2023 AFCON third place play-off on 10 January, Sebastien Desabre's men have gone three games without defeat in all competitions, winning three and drawing one, scoring six goals and conceding two.

The solid run of results has boosted the Leopards' hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they now sit third in Group B with seven points from four games, three points behind Sudan for the automatic qualification spot.

The DR Congo will now face an opponent they have failed to overcome in five of the last six meetings between the two nations - two defeats and three draws - with a 3-0 win in November 2021 being the exception.

Tanzania, on the other hand, recorded their first AFCON qualifying win last time out when they came from behind to beat Guinea 2-1 at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium.

After a goalless first half, Mohamed Bayo opened the scoring just before the hour mark, but Tanzania hit back four minutes later through Feisal Salum before Mudathir Yahya completed the comeback in the 88th minute.

Tanzania's quest for back-to-back AFCON appearances began on 4 September when they were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Ethiopia in Dar es Salaam.

Hemed Suleiman's men have now gone five games without defeat in all competitions since a narrow 1-0 friendly win over Bulgaria in March, recording two draws and three wins, including a 1-0 win over Zambia in June in World Cup qualifying, and currently sit second in Group E with six points from a possible nine.

The Taifa Stars have taken four points from their first two matches in the 2025 AFCON qualifying race to sit second in the standings, two points behind Thursday's hosts.

Next up for the Tanzanians is the challenge of facing an opponent who are on a five-match home winning streak, dating back to a 1-0 defeat to Gabon in the 2022 AFCON qualifiers in June.

Congo DR have named a solid 25-man squad for October's qualifiers against Tanzania and Ethiopia, with the likes of Simon Banza, Gael Kakuta and veteran defender Chancel Mbemba leading the way.

Mbemba and 30-year-old Henoc Inonga started at the heart of the back four against Ethiopia last time out and should retain their roles in the XI, while Charles Pickel, Chadrac Akolo and Sivasspor man Samuel Moutoussamy should start in midfield.

Samuel Essende has scored twice in four Bundesliga appearances for Augsburg and the 26-year-old should lead the Leopards' attack alongside 33-year-old Kakuta and Trabzonspor's Banza.

As for Tanzania, Suleiman's has retained the majority of the players called up for September's qualifiers, with Mohamed Husseini, Ibrahim Hamad, Dickson Job and Lusajo Mwaikenda expected to form the back four once again.

Salum and Young Africans Sport Club's Yahya were both on target against Guinea last time out and are likely to partner Goztepe's Novatus Miroshi in the centre of the park.

Vancouver Whitecaps striker Cyprian Kachwele, who made his debut against Guinea last time out, has also been included in the 23-man squad and will be hoping to open his account for the Taifa Stars.

Congo DR possible starting lineup:

Bertaud; Kalulu, Inonga, Mbemba, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Akolo, Pickel; Essende, Kakuta, Banza

Tanzania possible starting lineup:

Juma; Husseini, Hamad, Job, Mwaikenda; Salum, Yahya, Miroshi; Mzize, Samatta, Dennis

Prediction:Congo DR 2-1 Tanzania

Congo DR VS Tanzania stream and TV listing

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