When the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe lock horns in a group A AFCON encounter at AFCON 2019 on Sunday, it will be a battle to seek maximum points for the two sides.
The two wounded sides will play at the 30th June Stadium on the same day Uganda Cranes will face the hosts, Egypt Pharaohs at the gigantic Cairo International Stadium.
The Democratic Republic of Congo fell 2-0 to hosts Egypt on Wednesday night – thanks to goals from skipper Ahmed Elmohamady Abdelfattah Al and talisman Mohamed Salah Mahrous Ghaly, both coming in the first half.
After suffering their second loss at the championship (lost to Uganda 2-0), DR Congo head coach Jean Florent Ikwange Ibenge has now set eyes on the final game with Zimbabwe.
We did not deserve to lose. Yes, we played a bad game against Uganda but this time we had a very good game against Egypt. I feel sorry for the players who gave their best today against a strong team like Egypt. We will fight in the next match against Zimbabwe to get the 3 points. (Mohamed) Salah and (Mahmoud) Trezeguet are amazing players and they make the difference for Egypt.
Jean Florent Ikwange Ibenge, DR Congo Head coach
Zimbabwe is in a must-win situation against the Democratic Republic of Congo at the 30th June Stadium in Cairo this coming Sunday, 30th June 2019.
On the same day, Uganda Cranes will play the Egypt Pharaohs at the Cairo International Stadium.
Egypt has already qualified to the next round with six points.
Uganda has four points, and are the best advantaged of the remaining three countries in group A.
A win for Zimbabwe will also take them on four points. This means Uganda needs to win or draw to book an automatic slot to the round of 16.