Angola vs DR Congo

Angola’s Recent Performance: A Closer Look

Let’s examine Angola’s performance. While they did snatch a 2-1 victory against Zambia in their last outing, a deeper look reveals a less convincing picture. The ‘Black Antelopes’ conceded first in the 73rd minute and only managed to turn the game around through a late brace from substitute Caporal. This outcome suggests a last-minute rescue rather than a display of confident control.

Dominance Without Conversion: The Kenya Draw

Their 1-1 draw against Kenya offers a more telling insight into their capabilities. Angola dominated possession with 71% and played with a numerical advantage for over 70 minutes following an opponent’s red card. Despite these overwhelming conditions, they registered a staggering 25 shots on goal but could only convert one into a score.

Struggles Against Morocco and Overall Attacking Efficiency

Their tournament campaign began with a 0-2 defeat to Morocco. The narrative remained consistent: they held 59% possession but generated a minimal number of scoring opportunities, reflected by a low Expected Goals (xG) figure of just 0.37. The statistics are clear: Angola excels at ball retention but struggles significantly to translate that possession into genuine attacking threat and goals.

DR Congo: Champions’ Experience and Recent Form

Now turning our attention to DR Congo. The ‘Leopards’ are two-time champions of this tournament, and their experience is palpable. In their previous fixture, they confidently dispatched Zambia with a 2-0 victory, showcasing tactical maturity and efficiency by scoring two unanswered goals in the second half.

Underlying Strength Despite Loss: The Kenya Match

While they suffered a 0-1 defeat to tournament hosts Kenya in the opening round, the match statistics paint a different picture. DR Congo unleashed 20 shots on goal compared to Kenya’s 8 and accumulated an xG of 1.78. This indicates that the team successfully created chances, with only their finishing letting them down – an issue they appear to have rectified based on their performance against Zambia.

DR Congo’s Formidable Unbeaten Streak

Crucially, a key fact not to be overlooked is DR Congo’s impressive record of being undefeated in 15 of their last 19 matches. This highlights their remarkable ability to secure results and avoid defeat even in challenging encounters.