Match day 2 of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to resume next weekend with various teams looking to secure a better spot in their respective groups to qualify for next year’s campaign.
Ducor Sports takes a look at how things stand in the groups with focus on Group G.
Comprising Zimbabwe, DR Congo, Congo Brazzaville, and Liberia, the group is like every other, with only two slots up for grapes.
Zimbabwe
The ‘warriors’ find themselves at the top of the group on a goal difference after their 3-0 victory over the “Lone Stars” of Liberia at the National Sports Stadium, Harare in June, 2017. Former Kaizer Chiefs, now Anderlecht forward, Knowledge Musona made himself the hero of the day after he bagged home the hat-trick to put the warriors in a better position.
The 28-year-old forward, who is the current leading goal scorer in the qualifiers, has been named in coach Sunday Chidzambga provisional squad of 28 players for their next match against Congo Brazzaville on September 9, 2018.
Also included in the squad is in form striker, Nyasha Mushekwi. The 31-year-old striker has so far scored 10 goals in his 12 appearances for Chines club Dalian Yifang in the Chines Super League.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: George Chigova (Polokwane City, SA), Donovan Benard (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Edmore Sibanda (Witbank Spurs, SA), Talbert Shumba (Chapungu FC)
Defenders: Tendayi darikwa (Nottingham Forest, England), Alec Mudimu (Cefn Druids, Wales), Costa Nhamoinesu (Sparta Prague – Czech Republic), Teenage Hadebe (Kaizer Chiefs, SA), Kevin Moyo (FC Platinum), Adam Chicksen (Bradford City, England), Eric Chipeta (Cape Umoya United, SA), Divine Lunga (Golden Arrows, SA), Byron Madzokerere (Yadah FC)
Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi (Orlando Pirates, SA),Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Azam, Tanzania), Marvelous Nakamba (Club brugge, Belgium), Ovidy Karuru (Amazulu, SA), Richard Hachiro (Herentals FC), Talent Chawapiwa (Baroka FC, SA), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Orlando Pirates, SA), Leeroy Mavunga (Yadah FC), Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs, SA)
Forwards: Knowledge Musona (Anderlecht, Belgium), Evans Rusike (SuperSport United, SA), Kelly Lunga (SC Bonner, Germany), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Bidvest Wits, SA), Nyasha Mushekwi (Dalian Yifang, SA), Tinotenda Chibharo (FK Sloboda Uzice, Serbia).
DR Congo
Dubbed the ‘Leopards,’ DR Congo are seated second in the group following their 3-1 triumph over Congo Brazzaville at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa. A brace from former Villarreal striker Cedric Bakambu plus a late Chancel Mbemba goal was enough to give the Leopards all three points after Congo tried to get an equalizer.
Shockingly, the two goal scorers will miss DRC’s trip to Liberia after they were dropped by coach Florent Ibenge. Bakambu who is now playing his trade in the Chinese Super League with Beijing Guoan, has maintained his outstanding performance, scoring 13 goals in 15 matches this season. Rayo Vallecano’s Gael Kakuta is another notable absentee from DRC’s squad.
However, there is a space for loanee Yannick Bolasie, Al-Nassr’s Junior Kabananga and Stoke City’s forward Benik Afobe.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Ley Matampi Mvumi (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Anthony Mossi Ngawi (FC Chiasso Switzerland), Nathan Mabruki (DC Motema Pembe, DR Congo)
Defenders: Issama Mpeko Djos (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Djuma Shabani Wadol, Glody Ngonda Muzinga and Yannick Bangala Litombo (AS Vita Club, DR Congo); Jordan Ikoko (Guingamp, France), Arthur Masuaku (West Ham United, England), Bobo Ungenda Muselenge (CD Primeiro de Agosto, Angola), Wilfred Moke (Konyaspor, Turkey), Christian Luyindama (Standard Liege, Belgium)
Midfielders: Nelson Munganga (AS Vita Club, DR Congo), Chikito Lema Mabidi (Raja Casablanca, Morocco), Neeskens Kebano (Fulham, England), Jacques Maghoma (Birmingham City, England), Paul-Jose Mpoku (Standard Liege, Belgium), Luamba Fabrice Ngoma (AS Vita Club, DR Congo)
Forwards: Firmin Ndombe Mubele (FC Toulouse, France), Junior Kabananga Kalonji (Al-Nassr, Saudi Arabia), Elia Lina Meschack (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Jonathan Bolingi (Mouscron, Belgium), Benik Afobe (Stoke City, England), Britt Assombalonga (Middlebrough, England), Yannick Bolasie (Aston Villa, England), and Chadrac Akolo (VfB Stuttgart, Germany).
Liberia
The ‘Lone Stars’ are languishing at the bottom of the group following their 3-0 lost against Zimbabwe. Another defeat for the West African nation on September 9, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville will worsen the frustration of Liberians as the country strive to make an appearance at the Nations Cup since 2002.
Newly appointed head coach Thomas Kojo will be providing guidance from the touchline in his first major encounter after he was appointed to replace former head coach James Debbeh.
Coach Kojo invited 13 foreign based players last month to form part of his provisional squad for the DRC match. Mamelodi Sundowns’ forward Anthony Laffor, William Jebor who recently returned to Wydad Athletic Club, and Norwegian-based Sam Johnson are among players invited by Kojo.
Newcastle United U23 forward Mohammed Sangare could had the opportunity to make his debut for the Lone Stars after getting his first call-up, but the Liberia Football Association has confirmed that the youngster along with Terrence Tisdell who recently joined Portuguese club San Joanense will not travel to Liberia this week due to resident permit issues.
Congo
Similar to Liberia, Congo will be hoping to collect their first win when they face group leaders Zimbabwe at home. Head coach Candido Valdo earlier released a list of 36 prequalified players that includes 23 local based and 13 diaspora players.
Captain Prince Oniangue was ruled out of the 36 selected players due to injury while vice-captain Delvin Ndinga and forward Dylan Saint Louis of French Ligue 2 will have no place in the team.
In defense of his selection, coach Valdo said, [perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“I have players to take but also profiles to look at so that I can implement my philosophy of the game. To get there, I was forced to sacrifice some players.[/perfectpullquote]
“There are other absences I’m assuming because my role as a coach is to build a competitive team for the next five games to qualify for the AFCON 2019 finals. The old and new players are welcome in their national team, but before, everyone must convince me through his club performance.”
The Brazilian coach is expected to make his final selection of player this week.
Image Courtesy: Anthony Kokoi
