Leopards on a stalk again

• Congo DR distortion 28th in a World Ranking, an all-time high
• Les Leopards have been on a adult for a final 7 years
• Sights now set on a initial World Cup coming given Germany 1974

If their new form is anything to go by, Congo DR can start forgetful in Russian. The initial republic from sub-Saharan Africa to seem during a FIFA World Cupâ„¢, during Germany 1974 (when it was famous as Zaire), a Leopards have grown sleepy of watchful for a lapse to a large stage.

After some-more than 40 years in a wilderness, Congo DR have crept their approach behind into a limelight, yet they will not be means to locate their opponents by warn for many longer. Their rebirth is reflected in their solid stand adult a FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking between 2010 and 2016, during that time they changed adult from 139th place to 49th.

Les Leopards have continued their arise given afterwards and reached an all-time Ranking high of 28th in Jul 2017, interjection in no tiny partial to their run to a quarter-finals of this year’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations. In a meantime, they have also done a attack start to Group A in a third and final turn of subordinate for Russia 2018, violence Libya 4-0 during home and afterwards Guinea 2-1 away.

Long an obsession, a lapse to a universe finals now looks increasingly realistic. A span of good performances in a Sep double-header opposite Tunisia would make a outing to Russia subsequent year go from illusive to probable.

Reasons to believe
Sticking together
There is customarily some-more than one partial in any recipe for success, not slightest group spirit, something Congo DR are not brief of on or off a pitch, as Junior Kabananga, one of their many cherished assets, told FIFA.com: “The tip of a success is a fact that we hang together and that we’ve got an desirous coach. We’re also grounded and committed on a pitch.”

Structure and infrastructure
A former African superpower, a Leopards mislaid their glaze after their universe finals coming in 1974. Explaining a constructional changes that have regenerated their fortunes, manager Florent Ibenge said: “There’s been a clear alleviation in some pivotal areas, like transport and equipment. We don’t distortion to a players. They know that not everything’s perfect, that things aren’t as good organized as they are with their clubs, in Europe. But we can move them something different.” 

Timing
Brimming with talent and confidence, Congo DR exaggerate no necessity of knowledge in a figure of Dieumerci Mbokani, Yannick Bolasie, Chancel Mbemba and Neeskens Kebano, and a blazing enterprise to force their approach behind into a tellurian elite, qualities that have authorised them to put their difference into action. Voicing that desire, Leopards defender Gabriel Zakuani said: “We feel celebrated that a republic has already taken partial in one World Cup, though some-more than anything we’re forgetful of creation it to another one. The time has come to write a new page in a history. That time is now.”

The Leopards’ arriving matches:

• Congo-Congo DR, 11 August, friendly
• Congo DR-Congo, 18 August, friendly
• Tunisia-Congo DR, 1 September, Russia 2018 subordinate match
• Congo DR-Tunisia, 5 September, Russia 2018 subordinate match
• Libya-Congo DR, 2 October, Russia 2018 subordinate match
• Congo DR-Guinea, 6 November, Russia 2018 subordinate match

Article source: http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/news/y=2017/m=7/news=leopards-on-the-prowl-again-2901668.html