This archive report was first published on 7 July 2019.
Published on July 7, 2019, by AFP
DR Congo sharpshooter Cedric Bakambu is set to face Madagascar in an Africa Cup of Nations last-16 clash in Egypt, a match he recalls fondly from a 2017 qualifier where he scored a brace.
Bakambu, who currently plays for Beijing Guoan in China, netted twice in a 4-0 rout of Zimbabwe last weekend that secured a last-16 place for the Leopards.
"We had struggled to defeat Madagascar in Kinshasa so it was great to go there and win so convincingly with me scoring twice," recalled Bakambu.
Paul-Jose Mpoku and Yannick Bolasie, who also scored in the Antananarivo rout, are part of the DR Congo squad in Egypt.
Madagascar, who have undergone a dramatic transformation, culminated in a stunning 2-0 Group B victory over Nigeria.
Among the pre-tournament outsiders, the islanders won the group while two-time former champions DR Congo scraped through as one of the best four third-place teams.
Algeria, favourites to win in Cairo against Guinea, will lack injured Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita.
Forward Faneva Andriatsima acknowledged that the mainly short, slightly-built Malagasys have often struggled to match taller, physically stronger opponents, especially from west Africa.
"We fill this physical deficit with solidarity and heart. Those are our strengths," said Andriatsima.
