Nickname: The Leopards
Previous Appearances: 17 (1965, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1988, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2013 and 2015)
Best Finish: Champions (1968 and 1974)
Who are they?
Two-time winners in their Zaire incarnation, the current iteration are gradually fighting their way back into reckoning, helped largely by the club level performances of TP Mazembe in combination with a talented posse of foreign-born players. They finished as bronze medal winners last time out and have looked impressive both during and post qualifying.
Route to Qualification
Congo finished top of their qualification Group B, impressively securing five wins and losing just onc.e They scored 16 goals and conceded six in the process, and they must have the feel-good feeling heading into a tournament where they shouldn’t lack any support due to proximity to their home country.
Definition of Success
After victory at the African Nations Championships, fans expect the team to equal their bronze medal finish at the very least.
Biggest rivals
Ivory Coast appears to be the biggest threat to the ambitions of the Leopards at the tournament. The group looks tricky and difficult on paper, but playing in the same region, climate and easy acclimatisation to the demanding African football might very well work in their favour.
Top three players
Dieumerci Mbokani, Striker, Hull City
The dread-locked striker is the main man to get the goals for the Leopards. Regardless of his club struggles, he always turns on the style whenever he files out to play for his national team, and this tournament shouldn’t be an exception for the gifted striker who has an impressive goal ratio of nearly 0.5 goals per game.
Jordan Botaka, Midfielder, Charlton Athletic
A likely straight forward replacement for the injured Yannick Bolasie, the exciting 23-year-old should set the tournament alight with his speed and breath-taking skills.
Chancel Mbemba, Defender, Newcastle United
Young central defender who has plied his trade for the last two seasons in the demanding English league, initially starting off in the Premier League before suffering relegation to the Championship. Chancel is a leader at the back and his command of the area should serve as the building block for a solid defensive team performance.
Who brings the African league flavour?
Jonathan Bolingi
The young forward has forced his way into the staring line-up the age of 22, despite turning out for TP Mazembe. A constant goal threat after an impressive return of six in 13 international appearances.
How far will they go?
The team looks good to equal their semi-final placement at the last tournament. What they have going for them is the subdued media attention on the team, the absence of a standout star, and a team bond which should translate to some energetic goal celebration moves.
By Colin Udoh/Kwese
@ColinUdoh on Twitter
