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Congo Team Page

Squad

Coach: Eddie Hudanski

Roster:

Goalkeepers: Rufin Diampamba, Destin Onka, Gildas Toufilana

Defenders: Yan Ahoungou, Yann Kombo, Oxence Mbani, Murhyen Mereck, Mimille Okiele, Jacques Loparimi, Jules Ondjola

Midfielders: Cecil Filanckembo, Bovid Itoua, Presten Lakolo, Delvin Ndinga, Saide Nkounga

Forwards: Franchel Ibara, Gracia Ikouma, Ulrich Kapolongo, Ermejea Ngakosso, Fabrice Nguessi, Harris Tchilimbou

Scouting Report

Strengths: One thing Congo has going for itself is confidence after it won the African Youth Championship by defeating powerful Nigeria in the final. French coach Eddie Hudanski has been in charge for two years and has done an excellent job of preparing Congo for the U-20 World Cup. Defence is also an area of strength – Congo only gave up one goal in the African qualifiers, and even managed to shut out Nigeria and the Ivory Coast, two of the continent's top sides.

Weaknesses: A lack of experience is the biggest mark against a Congo team that will be playing at the U-20 World Cup for the first time. The team also lacks star power, with forward Fabrice Nguessi Ondama being the lone notable exception. FIFA did Congo few favours in drawing the African nation into a group with Canada, Chile and Austria. In such a difficult group, the inexperienced Congolese will be hard-pressed to advance to the second round.

Player to watch: Ondama showed his brilliance at the African Youth Championship when he was named tournament MVP. The young forward is a very explosive player with great technique, a nose for goal and has two great feet. Ondama is also able to keep his cool in front of goal.

Prognosis: This is tough to call. You have to be impressed that Congo won the 2007 African Youth Championship, although the Congolese did have a decided advantage (the tournament was staged in Congo). In Canada, Congo will have to face the host nation, so it’ll be interesting to see how they do playing in a hostile environment. The other teams in the group are no soft touches, either. Chile is one of the top South American youth teams, and Austria is a very under-rated side. Congo could just as easily finish third (and sneak into the second round) or in last place in the group and go home early. Look for Congo to battle it out with Austria and move on to the round of 16.

ROAD TO THE U-20 WORLD CUP

2007 qualification route: Congo, which also hosted the event, won the 2007 African Youth Championship in February to secure a trip to Canada.

Qualifying record: 5 games played, 4 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws

Goals for: 5 Goals against: 1

Top goal-scorer in qualifying: Fabrice Nguessi Ondama and Franchel Ibara (2)

Qualifying results:

Preliminary phase

Received a bye as hosts

Second round

Jan. 20, 2007 – Congo 2, Ivory Coast 0

Jan. 23, 2007 – Gambia 1, Congo 0

Jan. 26, 2007 – Congo 1, Burkina Faso 0

Knockout round

Jan. 30, 2007 – Zambia 0, Congo 1

Feb. 3, 2007 – Nigeria 0, Congo 1

U-20 World Cup 1st round matches (all times local)

July 2 vs. Austria in Edmonton (Commonwealth Stadium) at 17:45

July 5 vs. Chile in Edmonton (Commonwealth Stadium) at 20:30

July 8 vs. Canada in Edmonton (Commonwealth Stadium) at 18:00

U-20 WORLD CUP HISTORY

Congo has never appeared at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. However, the Congolese steamrolled through qualification, winning the 2007 African Youth Championship this past February.

Number of previous U-20 World Cup Appearances: 0

Hosted the U-20 World Cup: never

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