DR Congo will target home victory when they face Morocco in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification third-round, first-leg match at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa on Friday.
Kick-off is at 16h00 GMT.
The Leopards reached the play-offs after finishing top of Group J of the African World Cup Qualifiers, that also had Benin, Tanzania and Madagascar.
DR Congo beat Benin second-placed Benin 2-0 in the final group game. Dieumerci Mbokani who has been around forever opened the scoring in the crucial game before Ben Malango sealed the win later in the game.
The Central Africans have featured in one World Cup back in 1976 and the current squad wants to re-write its own history by qualifying to the global showcase event.
DR Congo will be looking for Gael Kakuta of RC Lens, Merveille Bope Bokadi of Standard Liege and Watford’s Edouard Kayembe Kayembe for inspiration.
Hector Cuper, the Leopards coach, has severally repeated that his main objective after taking over the team in May 2021 is to guide them to Qatar.
“We know facing Morocco will not be that easy, but the players are determined to go and give their best because this is another chance to qualify for the FIFA World Cup,” the Argentine tactician said.
Morocco, on the other hand, have set sights on reaching consecutive World Cups for the second time in their history.
The Atlas Lions had a smooth journey in the Group I as they recorded six wins to finish 12 points ahead of second-placed Guinea-Bissau.
Morocco scored 20 goals in six games and conceded only once, away at Guinea on Matchday 4. Their biggest victory came on Matchday 2 at home to Guinea Bissau, running out 5-0 winners.
The North Africans have young striker Abdel Samad Zalzouli in the squad as a replacement of Chelsea’s star Hakim Ziyech, who had previously announced that he would not return to represent his country again.
Morocco have been to the World Cup finals on five occasions, debuting at the 1970 edition in Mexico, and their best performance came in 1986 where they reached the Round of 16.
DR Congo and Morocco have met in just three official matches according to FIFA statistics, with each side claiming a win. The match at the Stade de Martyrs on Friday will be officiated by South African Victor Miguel de Freitas Gomes.
