Libya vs DR Congo Prediction & Betting Tips - African Nations Championship

Prediction published on 20/01/2021, 03:46  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 20/01/2021 at 09:06 in African Nations Championship Predictions

Libya and Congo DR are the favorites to proceed from Group B of the African Nations Championships (CHAN) and they are set to face off in the second match of the group on Thursday. The two sides have three African Nations Championship titles between them. In their opening fixtures, Congo DR beat Congo 1-0 while Libya drew 0-0 with Niger and for either side, a win is priceless. Libya won this title in 2014 amid chaos back in their country and they will be hoping make it two this year. Going to this game though, they have no win in three international matches, and only one in nine. They’ve kept three clean sheets in the last 14 and in African Nations Championship matches, Libya have no win in the last five. They don’t have a very strong history in this competition. Even in 2014 when they won it, Libya (who were the hosts) only won one match in 90 minutes with three wins in the knockout stages via penalty shootouts with just one goal scored in three knockout rounds.  That scoring problem in this competition has continued. In the last eight matches they have failed to score more than a goal. The Libyans actually lost to Tunisia in the qualifying rounds but were re-instated when Tunisia withdrew.

Congo DR are the most successful team in the history of CHAN, having won the title in 2009 and 2016. They are seeking a third title here and their start has shown the intent. It was not an emphatic performance against Congo in the opening game but Chico Ushindi’s 47th minute goal did the job. Congo DR have not lost an international game in their last four outings, winning two and drawing two and they have also been good defensively. Coming to this game, they have three straight clean sheets. After winning the 2016 African Nations Championshp, they failed to qualify for the last one but they are back with a bang and their opening win sends the right signal. With this tournament a preserve of locally based players, rarely do players feature in two tournaments, especially with successful teams. However, five years after winning their second title, Congo DR still have two players from the 2016 team – Mika Miche and goalkeeper Ley Matampi. The consistency is furthered by the presence of the same coach who led the team to success then – Florent Ibenge. Congo DR are unbeaten in eight matches in this competition and have failed to score in just one of the last 11. In four of the last six CHAN matches, Congo DR have also kept clean sheets and will go to this game on a much stronger footing.