Launched on August 23, 2023, in an unprecedented format, the national football championship of the Democratic Republic of Congo is currently delivering its verdict on the eight teams that will play the prestigious second half of the season. To date, the last team to have secured their spot is the Association Sportive Dauphins Noirs de Goma.

In a match contested at Joseph Kabila Stadium in Kindu, the team from Goma defeated the local team of the Association Sportive Maniema Union by two goals to one, thanks to a brace by player Gauthier Pembele in the second half.

With this victory, As Dauphin Noir totals 29 points with one match remaining, which they will play at home against OC Renaissance du Congo. Thus, regardless of the scenarios of their direct pursuers (Les Aigles du Congo and DCMP), Dauphin Noir is mathematically ensured to finish in the Top 4 of group B.

The battle for the other qualifying spot in this group B is taking place between two teams from the Congolese capital: Les Aigles du Congo (4th, 26 points, 1 match remaining) and Daring Club Motema Pembe (5th, 25 points, 2 matches remaining). This endgame is shaping up to be even more enticing as the only remaining match for Les Aigles du Congo will be against DCMP.

A victory for the immaculates will dispel all hopes for the eagles to play in the playoffs, while a draw will prolong the suspense, but Les Aigles du Congo will no longer have their fate in their own hands. They will then have to follow, fingers crossed, the derby between DCMP and AS Vita Club. A match that is also significant because, while Vita Club is already assured of playing in the playoffs, they will want to take revenge on Daring who had won the first leg by one goal to zero.

Added to this is the new jersey which the Muscovites are now donning since the arrival of a partnership with a Turkish company and a new coordination committee to replace the one chaired by Bestine Kazadi. However, the downside is that these two encounters (DCMP vs V.Club and Aigles du Congo vs DCMP) have experienced delays compared to their initial schedules and the new dates have not yet been revealed by the championship organizing committee.

The seven teams already assured of playing in the playoffs are: FC Saint Eloi Lupopo, Lubumbashi Sport, TP Mazembe, and CS Don Bosco for group A. In group B, AS Maniema Union, AS Vita Club, and As Dauphin Noir are the qualified ones. The eight teams admitted to the playoffs will face each other in a home and away format according to a calendar that will be published by the championship organizer.

A double stake is set for this phase: -The first will be to crown the champion of this 29th edition of the championship and to claim the prize fund reserved by the organizer.

The four best ranked teams will be the representatives of the DRC in the CAF interclubs.

Joseph Bahati