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Femi Fabunmi

With Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo gearing up for another installment in their enduring football rivalry, a review of their previous matches reveals a competition characterized by significant wins, strategic confrontations, and changing power dynamics.

The two teams initially faced each other on 13 December 1969, with the Leopards, known at the time as Congo-Kinshasa, defeating the Super Eagles 5-0 in Kinshasa during an international friendly match.

Nigeria finally made a powerful showing at the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations held in Dire Dawa, beating the Democratic Republic of the Congo 4-2 on March 1, 1976.

The AFCON gatherings remained advantageous for Nigeria, as the Eagles achieved a 1-0 win on January 19, 1992, in Ziguinchor, and then a 2-0 triumph on April 2, 1994, in Tunis.

During friendly games, Nigeria achieved one of its most significant victories over the Leopards on 3 March 2010, defeating them 5-0 in Abuja. However, DR Congo retaliated five years later, securing a 2-0 win on 8 October 2015 in Visé, Belgium.

The latest encounter took place on 27 May 2018, with both teams ending in a 1-1 tie in Port Harcourt.

Significantly, from 1971 to 1997, the Democratic Republic of the Congo participated under the name Zaire, during which time several of these notable matches took place.

As both teams prepare to meet once more, the history between them is marked by excitement, goals, and memorable events, with supporters anticipating another intense battle.