Algeria v DR Congo: Line-ups, stats and preview

Match Preview for Algeria v DR Congo

Algeria boss Vladimir Petkovic says his team need to “be careful” when they come up against DR Congo in the round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations tomorrow.

Algeria go into the game as strong favourites to secure a place in the quarter-finals having ended the group phase as one of just two teams with a 100% record following wins over Sudan, Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea.

But Petkovic, who led Switzerland to the quarters at Euro 2020, is not taking DR Congo lightly.

He said this morning: “DR Congo were able to achieve positive results, and they are used to facing opponents of this kind. We have to be careful, but we have to focus on ourselves.

“Of course they have a strong team collectively, they have special individuals, and they play with connected lines. They do not give up for 90 minutes, but there are areas that we have to exploit.”

Algeria are among the favourites to go all the way in Morocco but Petkovic is not getting ahead of himself, adding: “We are thinking about the next step, which is the Congo match, and we are not thinking about other things.”

Petkovic’s DR Congo counterpart Sebastian Desaber was in bullish mood ahead of his team’s first clash with Algeria in seven years.

“I feel good before the match, we benefited from enough rest to recover, and we have prepared well for the Algeria match,” said Desaber, whose side claimed seven points from their three group games. “We are well focused on this meeting, and we will do everything to qualify for the quarter-final. 

“The Algerian team is the right one to gauge the extent of our development and progress. Algeria is a good team, who had a good record in the group stage and are a team returning to the World Cup, but we have our weapons to win, and we have our plans to achieve our goals.”

Team News for Algeria v DR Congo

Algeria are likely to be without left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri after he was forced off during the game against Equatorial Guinea. Jaouen Hadjam is definitely out due to an ankle injury.

DR Congo will hand a late fitness test to Sunderland full-back Arthur Masuaku. Joris Kayembe will retain his place if Masuaku is ruled out.

Predicted line-ups for Algeria v DR Congo

Algeria: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Dorval; Boudaoui, Bennacer; Amoura, Mahrez, Hadj Moussa; Maza

DR Congo: Mpasi-Nzau; Masuaku, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Wan-Bissaka; Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Mukau; Elia, Bakambu, Bongonda

How to watch Algeria v DR Congo: TV and online streams

Kick-off on Tuesday is at 4pm UK time. In the UK, live AFCON 2025 coverage is on Channel 4’s 4seven, All 4 and YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.

Online live streaming is available on a vast range of devices through Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports app.

Stats for Algeria v DR Congo

• Victory would take Algeria to the quarter-finals for the seventh time (1996, 2000, 2004, 2010, 2015, 2019)
• Algeria’s starting XI against Equatorial Guinea had an average age of 25 years and 21 days, their youngest at AFCON since at least 2010
• DR Congo completed the group stage unbeaten for the second consecutive AFCON, after also doing so in 2023
• DR Congo are appearing in the round of 16 for the third time

Prediction for Algeria v DR Congo