Looking for the biggest and highest-ranked teams on the continent of Africa?, surely names like Morocco, Egypt, and Senegal pop up at the top of your mind.
However, DR Congo have established themselves in this edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as one of the most effective sides, reaching the semi-final and eliminating record-winners Egypt and Guinea in the process.
The Leopards did not participate in this competition in the 1950s yet have as many Africa Cup of Nations titles as Ivory Coast, who stand in their way of reaching another final for the first time in 50 years.
Unbeaten so far in this tournament, Sebastien Desabre’s men have had quite an intriguing process towards reaching the last four. Failing to win any of their group games and grabbing their first victory in this competition only in the quarter-final.
The Leopards currently with the likes of Lionel Mpasi, Arthur Masuaku and Chancel Mpemba are a distinct squad compared to the high-scoring 1974 team which had Pierre Ndaye Mulamba as the focal point of attack.
The 1974 team did not just win the AFCON but also became the second African nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup after Egypt as Zaire.
A World Cup that ended quite catastrophically given the prominence they went into the competition with.
This team however may not have big names like Pierre Ndaye Mulamba or Kakoko Etepe, yet with unity and determination, they could make history by reaching another final.
Moreover, with resilience in defence, the 1968 winners can stage a surprise on the hosts who are now considered favourites having eliminated Senegal and Mali to reach the last four.
Should DR Congo edge Ivory Coast at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Wednesday night, a winless two-game run against the West African nation would come to an end after suffering two defeats in the semi-finals in 1988 and 2015 to Cote D’Ivoire.
By Prosper Kuzo || 3Sports