Congo (Group A)

The “Red Devils” return to the Nations Cup finals after a 14-year absence, offering veteran coach Claude Le Roy a chance to extend his record for the most number of tournament appearances to eight. Congo had a schizophrenic qualifying campaign, advancing through two rounds of preliminaries only after their opponents, Rwanda, had been caught fielding a player with a double identity. Although they inflicted Nigeria’s first home defeat in a competitive international in 33 years, home defeats by South Africa and Nigeria saw them finish second in Group A.

COACH 

Claude Le Roy has been working on the continent for almost 30 years and in that time coached at a record seven tournaments – the last in South Africa two years ago. The 66-year-old Frenchman has had a record 31 matches at the finals and the last tournament, in 2013, marked the first time one of his teams had failed to reach the quarter-finals. Won it with Cameroon in 1988.

KEY PLAYERS

Giant centre-back Christopher Samba ended his international career before the start of qualifying, robbing the Congolese of key experience. But they did persuade former France junior international Thievy Bifouma (above) to play and he made an immediate impact with two goals in their famous away win over Nigeria. Key midfielder is Delvin Ndinga, of Greek champions Olympiacos.

LIKELY STARTING XI (4-4-2):
Christopher Mafoumbi - Igor Nganga, Marvin Baudry, Boris Moubio, Francis Nganga - Ladislas Douniama, Delvin Ndinga, Prince Oniangue, Francis Litsingi - Ferebory Dore, Thievy Bifouma.