Equatorial Guinea vs Congo DR

Equatorial Guinea made progress en route to a shocking run to this year’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON), playing against countries it had never previously met. Now, the country has been drawn to play Congo DR for the first time ever, but this time with a spot at AFCON 2013 at stake.

Having played in its first AFCON tournament in its history, Equatorial Guinea surprised many people by reaching the quarterfinals. The country reached the final eight on the strength of two dramatic victories in Bata. The first game came against Libya, when ex-Real Madrid striker Javier Balboa scored the only goal in the game. Four days later, David “Kily” Alvarez Aguirre scored in stoppage time to become the first team to reach the quarterfinals, while eliminating Senegal from AFCON 2012.

Equatorial Guinea’s run to the quarterfinals is even surprising, especially given the country’s football history. 

The country first game was against China in 1975, but Equatorial Guinea would not win its first game until 1999. Over several years, Equatorial Guinea would reach its highest ranking in March 2008, with Juvenal Edjogo-Owono as captain. Despite missing out on AFCON 2008,  Equatorial Guinea notched a memorable 1-0 victory against Cameroon in which Juvenal scored.

Congo DR, on the other hand, is looking to rekindle its glory days in the mid-1960s and 1970s. Congo DR, called Zaire at the time, won AFCON in 1968 and 1974. The country also qualified for the 1974 FIFA World Cup, defeating Zambia and Morocco in the final round and became the first sub-Saharan nation to reach the FIFA World Cup.

After reaching the World Cup, Congo DR went into a tailspin. The country would not qualify for AFCON until 1988. Four years later, Congo DR would reach seven consecutive AFCON tournaments, which included a third-place finish at AFCON 1998 against Burkina Faso and four quarterfinal appearances.

Congo DR is looking to reach the AFCON group stage for the first time since 2006. The country had reached this stage of AFCON 2013 qualifying by winning both legs against Seychelles, 4-0 in Victoria, Seychelles and 3-0 at home in Kinshasa.

Congo DR has a mix of players playing domestically and internationally. Among some of the leagues Congo DR’s players participate in include Germany’s Bundesliga, Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League, France Ligue 1 and even Major League Soccer, for which Steve Zakuani plays for the Seattle Sounders.

However, many players are part of TP Mazembe, Congo DR’s most successful team. Several players, including Dioko Kaliyutika, who scored two goals in the first leg against Seychelles, still play for the team, known for its surprising run to the final of the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup.

Since AFCON 2012, Juvenal scored both goals in a 2-2 draw against Sierra Leone in World Cup qualifying. Days earlier, Equatorial Guinea had a 1-0 lead at halftime against Tunisia, but lost 3-1. After winning their two games against Seychelles, Congo DR started its World Cup qualifying with a 1-0 loss in Cameroon, but won days later at home against Togo 2-0.

Congo DR made light work of Seychelles. Can they do the same for Equatorial Guinea and make it to AFCON 2013? The answer will come this October.