Algeria will be looking to maintain its unbeaten record against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) as the two sides meet in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday.
Algeria finished atop Group E as one of two sides at the tournament to manage a perfect record, claiming three victories and nine points for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2019.
The Fennecs defeated Sudan 3-0 before snatching a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso and finishing their group stage with a 3-1 win over Equatorial Guinea.
They will be making their second appearance in the competition’s round of 16 after missing out in the last two editions.
DR Congo finished second in Group D behind Senegal, losing out on top spot due to goal difference, also collecting seven points from two wins and one draw. This is the second consecutive edition the nation has gone undefeated in the group stage.
The Leopards opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Benin before drawing 1-1 with Senegal and beating Botswana 3-0 in their final group game.
Having qualified for the knockout stage for a fifth consecutive edition, they will be looking to go a step further than the 2023 edition, which saw them bomb-out in the semifinals at the hands of the hosts and eventual winners Ivory Coast.
The two sides have met on seven previous occasions with the Fennecs remaining undefeated, registering three wins and four draws against the Leopards. Two of those meetings have come at AFCON, with a goalless draw in the group stage in 2000 and a 1-0 win for Algeria in 1998.
