Friendlies 3 | 2nd Leg

Jun 8, 2025 at 4pm UK

Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecote

Congo DR vs Madagascar

Match preview

Samuel Essende’s strike in the 27th minute proved decisive as DR Congo ended their two-game losing streak against Mali, maintaining their perfect start to 2025.

Although their 1-1 draw against Chad on 21 December in the African Nations Championship qualifiers halted a brief slide, it remains the last time the Leopards failed to win; the side has since registered four straight triumphs.

This success can be attributed to their quick starts; DR Congo have drawn first blood in each of their last five matches, with all of those goals being scored in the first half.

Even more impressively, the Leopards took the lead into the break in each of their last three matches — a feat made all the more impressive by the fact that they kept clean sheets throughout this run.

Sunday’s friendly provides an important chance to maintain momentum as they approach the decisive final phase of the World Cup qualifiers. DR Congo are currently at the top of their group, holding a one-point lead over Senegal in second place.

With a doubleheader against South Sudan in September, followed by a crucial meeting with Senegal and back-to-back fixtures against Togo and Sudan in October, Sebastien Desabre’s team must first focus on Madagascar, who claimed victory in their most recent meeting.

Barea could secure back-to-back victories in this fixture for the first time in their history, following their 1-0 success in 2021. Their overall record stands at two outright victories, one penalty shoot-out triumph, one draw and five losses.

A victory this weekend would provide Madagascar with a much-needed boost as they look to restart their qualifying campaign with renewed confidence following their 3-0 defeat to Ghana in March.

This was their fifth defeat in seven matches across all competitions and leaves Corentin Martins’s side third in Group I, five points adrift of first place with four games still to play.

Madagascar will take on Eswatini and the Central African Republic in September, then Chad and Comoros in October, as they continue to chase their first World Cup appearance.

Meanwhile, while the senior team prepares for Sunday's match, a separate squad largely comprising under-23 and locally based players is set to face Tanzania in their COSAFA Cup opener the previous day. A double victory would boost morale significantly.

Recent Performance

Congo DR form (all competitions):LDWWWW

Madagascar form (all competitions):LLWLWL

Team News

DR Congo's Yoane Wissa celebrates with Meschack Elia after he scores their first goal on 28 January 2024.

Head coach Desabre is expected to make a few changes to the team that started against Mali, with Cédric Bakambu and Nathanaël Mbuku pushing for a place in the starting lineup after coming on as substitutes last time.

Yoane Wissa, who replaced the injured Theo Bongonda in the 24^(th) minute, is likely to start, while Trabzonspor forward Simon Banza could make his first appearance of the tournament after being an unused substitute.

Madagascar's head coach, Martins, has named a 24-man squad for this fixture. The headline inclusions are Bryan Adinany and Scotty Sadzoute, who have both pledged their allegiance to Barea and could earn their senior debuts.

However, preparations have been overshadowed by off-field unrest. Reports from AfricaSoccer reveal that Loïc Lapoussin and Marco Ilaimaharitra left the training camp following a dispute over unpaid bonuses.

Adding to the uncertainty, the availability of forwards Hakim Abdallah and Caddy Warren remains in doubt as neither player has yet reported to the training ground.

Possible starting lineup

Congo DR possible starting lineup:

Bertaud; Kalulu, Batubinsika, Mbemba, Masuaku; Kayembe, Moutoussamy, Pickel; Wissa, Bakambu, Banza

Madagascar possible starting lineup:

Laiton; Acapandie, Demoleon, Berajo, Busset; Johan, Raveloson; Randrianantenaina, Rakotonomenjanahary, Noireau-Dauriat; Adinany