Libya lock horns with strugglers Congo in the final round of matches in Group B of the Total African Nations Championship on Monday.
Libya themselves have not hit top gear, with two points in their first two matches, however, Congo are currently at the bottom of the group, after suffering one defeat and a draw to Congo DR and Niger, respectively.
Match preview
Congo are making their third appearance at the African Nations Championship, and they came with the mission of surpassing their best-ever finish, which was the quarter-finals finish of 2018.
However, with one point in their first two games, the Red Devils are on the verge of a group stage exit in Cameroon.
An opening-day defeat against Congo DR was followed by a disappointing draw with the Mena of Niger, and now head coach Barthelemy Ngatsono suddenly looks out of ideas.
With the group still open, Congo will not just need victory against second-placed Libya to qualify, but will hope Congo DR avoid defeat when they take on Niger later on Monday night.
Congo come into this tie with scores to settle, as Libya dumped them out of the previous edition of the African Nations Championship in Morocco on penalties, after it ended 1-1 at the end of 120 minutes.
Libya were crowned champions in 2014, after defeating Ghana on penalties in the finals, and Montenegrin head coach Zoran Filipovic is on a quest to lead them to a second CHAN success.
However, like their opponents, Libya have not been in the best form, after picking up two points against Niger and Congo DR in their first two group stage matches.
After holding on to a slender one-goal lead for the majority of the game, there was nothing goalkeeper Ahmed Azzaqa could do to stop Congo DR's Masasi Obenza from finding the back of the net, as they fell to a 94th-minute equaliser on Thursday.
The Mediterranean Knights are now winless in their last five matches, dating back to a 2-1 victory over Tanzania in November 2019, and they will look to bring an end to this dire run on Monday, and seal their progress into the quarter-finals.
The last three meetings between Congo and Libya have all ended in draws, with both nations scoring three goals and keeping one clean sheet.
Congo African Nations Championship form: LD
Congo form (all competitions): WDDWLD
Libya African Nations Championship form: DD
Libya form (all competitions): LLLDDD
Team News
AS Otoho's central defender Cervelie Epoyo is the only doubt for the Congolese, as he was hooked off with an injury in the first half against Niger.
Other than that, Barthelemy Ngatsono has a full strength squad to select from, and is expected to name a similar starting lineup.
Libya, on the other hand, will be without the services of captain Rabea Aboubaker and Al-Ahli Tripoli midfielder Abdalla Abdelrhman, who are both sidelined through injuries.
Ibrahem Bodabous will push for a place in the starting XI, after an impressive performance off the bench for the Mediterranean Knights last time out.
Congo possible starting lineup:
Ndzila; Rozan, Ondongo, Bissiki, Mouandza, Massanga, Ossete; Ngouonimba, Binguila, Obongo; Obassi
Libya possible starting lineup:
Azzaqa; Makkari, Alamami, Fakhron; Elhouni, Shadi, Hamid, Sherif; Husayn, Alharash, Mohamed
We say: Congo 0-1 Libya
Libya have the quality and experience needed to be at the top of Group B, but they have failed to live up to expectations after a series of lacklustre performances. They should be able to bounce back against Congo, however, who look out-of-sorts at the moment.
