Algerian Radio
The national football team is preparing to get down to business as they face DR Congo Today at 5:00 PM in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON-2025), with the clearly stated ambition of booking their spot in the quarter-finals.
After a flawless first round, marked by three wins in as many matches, captain Riyad Mahrez and his teammates are preparing to challenge an opponent of a different caliber.
Aware of the high stakes, the "Greens" know they will have to raise their level of play to overcome this hurdle against a Congolese team that demonstrated solid form during the group stage.
Led by French coach Sébastien Desabre, DR Congo qualified without suffering a single defeat, securing two victories and a draw. This confirms their status as a solid opponent, capable of applying intense pressure and leveraging their athletic power in duels.
For a little over two months, the "Leopards" have been enjoying a purple patch, evidenced by an eight-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
This decisive encounter comes with its share of constraints for the national squad. Head coach Vladimir Petkovic will have to manage without three defenders: Samir Chergui and Jaouen Hadjam, who are out due to injury, as well as Rayan Aït-Nouri, who is unavailable due to a severe flu.
These absences weigh on the technical staff's tactical choices, yet they do not diminish the total determination of a group resolved to rise to the challenge.
With an hour to go before the match against DR Congo, the Algerian group appears serene and resolutely focused on their objective. They approach this decisive fixture with calm and concentration, buoyed by a working atmosphere imbued with confidence and responsibility.
Conscious of the importance of the moment, the players know what such an encounter demands and are ready to rise to the occasion, driven by a shared desire to reach the next level and continue their continental adventure.
The match will be officiated by an Egyptian refereeing quartet led by Mohamed Maârouf Eid Mansour, assisted by his compatriots Mahmoud Ahmed Kamel Aboulregal (Assistant 1) and Ahmed Houssam Taha Ibrahim (Assistant 2).
The role of the fourth official will be filled by Amin Mohamed Omar.
If they qualify against DR Congo, Algeria will face Nigeria, scheduled for Saturday, January 10 at 5:00 PM, in the quarter-finals.
This prospect encourages the "Greens" to remain fully focused on the Congolese obstacle—the first indispensable step toward a continental dream they hope to revive.
