Battle of the Neighbors in Douala
The majestic “Stade de Japoma” in Douala will be the place when twice champions DR Congo faces neighbors Congo on Sunday (17 January 2021), as Group B of the Total African Nations Championship, Cameroon 2020 enters its matchday 1.
The Leopards of DR Congo won the maiden CHAN edition in 2009 and added another title in 2016 to become the only team to do so in the history of the tournament designed exclusively for home-based players.
Their encounter against the Red Devils of Congo, who are participating in the competition for the third time, promises to be intense. This is certainly one of the biggest posters of this Total CHAN.
This is DR Congo's 5th CHAN appearance, with record 19 matches played, more than any other country. With two trophies to their name, the Leopards, whose last participation dates to Rwanda 2016, hope to do better, as per coach Jean-Florent Ibenge, who made a return to manage DR Congo after leaving his post following the coronation in Kigali.
“Those titles are from the past. Here we are in the present, and everyone must try to write their story. It's up to those players to write theirs,” Ibenge said.
"We have a strong opponent from the start. It's up to us to prepare ourselves to make the best copy possible and that this time at the end of the 90 minutes, we are victorious,” he added.
The Leopards won their last friendly match against Congo, but their last official match - in the CHAN 2018 qualifiers - turned in favor of the Red Devils. It was Congo then who put an end to hopes of a 5th successive appearance for their neighbors in CHAN finals. This situation pushes TP Mazembe forward Joel Beya to be careful before the Congo River derby.
"Things have changed. There were departures, injuries, absentees, and most probably it’s the same on their side. We are here to work with more concentration, seriousness and desire to try to go as far as possible."
Congo will appear in CHAN for the 2nd consecutive time, after reaching the quarterfinals in 2018. The Red Devils have lost only one of their 7 matches played in the competition (3 wins, 3 draws), and that was their very first match against Ghana in January 2014.
It was in Douala in 1972 that the senior Red Devils made history by beating Sudan 4-2 to reach the AFCON semifinals and fac hosts Cameroon, before eventually being crowned champions against Mali. In that year, Congo were in the same group as Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) as is the situation now. Can Douala bring them luck again?
For Congo’s coach Barthélémy Ngatsono "The objective is to qualify to the second round."
“Facing DR Congo is not an easy mission. The most inspired team will have control of the game and know how to act in time. Small details could decide the winner."