Preview: Congo vs. Gambia - prediction, team news, lineups

The Red Devils, on the other hand, head into the game on a three-game losing streak across all competitions and will be looking to end this dry spell and get their campaign up and running.

Match preview

Congo failed to find their feet on Saturday as they suffered a humbling 4-0 defeat at the hands of Mali in the opening game of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Eagles turned in a super first half display at the Stade du 26 Mars as goals from Mohamed Camara, Kalifa Coulibaly and a brace from El Bilal Toure saw them storm to all three points.

Congo have now failed to taste victory in any of their last eight outings across all competitions, including in each of their six games in Group H of the World Cup qualifiers, where they finished rock-bottom in the table with three points from six games.

Paul Put's side also head into Wednesday's game winless in their last four Africa Cup of Nations qualification games, losing two and claiming two draws since a 2-0 victory over 10-man Eswatini back in November 2020.

The Red Devils will now look to end this dry spell and get their campaign up and running as they look to return to the continental showpiece for the first time since 2015, when they were sent packing in the quarter-finals.

Gambia, on the other hand, kicked-off their 2023 AFCON qualifiers in fine fashion as they picked up a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Sudan on Saturday.

Bologna forward Musa Barrow carried on with his fine form as he provided the assist for Ablie Jallow to smash home the only goal of the game at the Stade Lat Dior.

Prior to that, Zambia were sent packing from the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations courtesy of a 2-0 defeat against Cameroon back in January before playing out a 1-1 draw with United Arab Emirates in a friendly fixture on May 29.

Tom Saintfiet's head into Wednesday unbeaten in each of their last three away games across all competitions, claiming two wins and one draw since a 2-0 loss to New Zealand back in November 2021.

Congo Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:

Congo form (all competitions):

Gambia Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:

Gambia form (all competitions):

Team News

Maribor midfielder Antoine Makoumbou could be thrown into the fray, potentially coming in for Nolan Mbemba, who was hooked off at half time after failing to make his mark on Saturday.

Despite failing to score in any of his last five games for club and country, Wydad forward Guy Mbenza should retain his place in attack, alongside Hatayspor's Dylan Saint-Louis.

Off the back of a solid defensive display against South Sudan, Saintfiet could name an unchanged back four of Bubacarr Sanneh, Horsen defender James Gomez, Sampdoria's Omar Colley and 27-year-old Ibou Touray.

Jallow ended his four-game goal drought for club and country with his strike against South Sudan and the 23-year-old forward should spearhead the attack once again.

Barrow, who registered the assist on Saturday, has now been involved in five goals in his last seven games across all competitions and the Bologna forward will be one to keep an eye out for.

Congo possible starting lineup:

Mafoumbi; Tsouka, Rozan, Bidounga, Mazikou; Massengo, Mbemba, Makouta; Bifouma, Mbenza, Saint-Louis

Gambia possible starting lineup:

Gaye; Sanneh, Gomez, Colley, Touray; Jallow, Bobb, Darboe, Marreh, Barrow; Ceesay

We say: Congo 1-1 Gambia

While Congo will be looking to arrest their slump, next up is an opposing side who are unbeaten in six of their last seven outings. However, we predict Congo will take a cautious approach to the game and force a share of the spoils in this one.

Previews by email