Algeria will aim to preserve their long-standing unbeaten record against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) when the sides meet in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday.
Kick-off is scheduled for 6pm CAT.
Algeria progressed to the knockout stage in commanding fashion, finishing top of Group E with a flawless record. The Fennecs were one of only two teams at the tournament to claim maximum points, securing three wins from three matches for the first time since their title-winning campaign in 2019.
They opened with a convincing 3-0 victory over Sudan, followed by a narrow but disciplined 1-0 success against Burkina Faso, before rounding off the group phase with a 3-1 win over Equatorial Guinea.
This will mark Algeria’s second appearance in the Round of 16, having failed to advance beyond the group stage in the previous two editions of the tournament.
DR Congo, meanwhile, finished second in Group D behind Senegal on goal difference, collecting seven points from two wins and a draw. Notably, this is the second successive AFCON in which the Leopards have emerged from the group stage unbeaten.
Their campaign began with a 1-0 win over Benin, followed by a 1-1 draw against Senegal, before a dominant 3-0 victory over Botswana sealed their place in the knockout rounds.
Having reached the semifinals at the 2023 AFCON—where they were eliminated by hosts and eventual champions Ivory Coast—DR Congo will be targeting further progress as they make their fifth consecutive appearance in the knockout phase.
The historical record favours Algeria. The two nations have met seven times previously, with the Fennecs unbeaten across those encounters, recording three wins and four draws.
Their AFCON meetings include a goalless group-stage draw in 2000 and a 1-0 victory for Algeria in the 1998 edition.
Algeria head coach Vladimir Petković expressed confidence in his side’s readiness after their final group-stage match, highlighting the benefit of additional recovery and preparation time.
“We’ll have enough time to prepare well for this match and I believe my team will be ready,” Petković said.
Algeria: Riyad Mahrez continues to underline his influence at the 2025 AFCON. The former CAF African Footballer of the Year has scored three goals in two appearances and will be pivotal as Algeria chase a second continental crown.
DR Congo: Cédric Bakambu is expected to lead the Leopards’ attacking threat. The Real Betis forward has one goal in two matches and will be eager to make a decisive impact in the knockout stage.
