Morocco, Congo DR go head-to-head in their chase for World Cup ticket
With just 90 minutes of action separating the sides from a place in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Morocco and Congo DR go head-to-head at the Stade Mohamed V on Tuesday.
The tie remains firmly in the balance off the back of a stalemate in the first leg last time out and there is still a lot to play for in Casablanca.
Morocco played out a 1-1 draw against Congo DR in the sides’ meeting at Stade des Martyrs on Friday.
Vahid Halilhodzic’s men fell behind to Yoane Wissa’s 12th-minute opener before restoring parity through Tarik Tissoudali half an hour into the second period.
Despite not being at their best on the day, the Atlas Lions could have come away with a crucial victory had Ryan Mmaee held his nerve from 12 yards nine minutes after the restart.
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Nonetheless, the North Africans currently lead the tie on away goals and are in the driving seat heading into the second leg.
Having won each of the last 10 outings on their own patch, Tuesday’s hosts are huge favourites to emerge triumphantly and book a ticket to Qatar.
Congo have every reason to be proud of their first-leg performance, as they pushed their more illustrious opponents all the way.
Hector Cuper’s men restricted Morocco to no efforts on target in the opening 45 minutes and just one all-game long which was the equaliser.
The Leopards will need to be near-perfect once again if they are to feature at November’s global showpiece for the first time since 1974.
Their record away from home is a cause for concern, as Tuesday’s visitors have won just one of their last five matches on the road.
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Congo DR’s Glody Ngonda was sent off for two bookable offences last time out and the 27-year-old is suspended for Tuesday’s clash.
Defender Merveille Bokadi is expected to come into the starting XI for his 27th international cap as a result of Ngonda’s unavailability.
Morocco’s Tarik Tissoudali could get the nod right from the off this time around after coming off the bench to good effect last time out.
Youssef En Nesyri has now gone 13 games without a goal for club and country, but the Sevilla man is expected to lead the line once again.
Morocco possible starting lineup:
Bono; Aguerd, Saiss, Mmaee; Masina, Hakimi, Louza, Amrabat, Amallah; En Nesyri, El Kaabi
Congo DR possible starting lineup:
Kiassumbua; Amale, Luyindama, Mbemba, Bokadi; Akolo, Kayembe, Bastien, Wissa; Bakambu, Mbokani