Kinshasa, October 1st, 2026 (CPA).- The international friendly match between the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Cranes of Uganda has been confirmed to be played behind closed doors on Friday at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, according to the Congolese Football Association (FECOFA). The match promises to be an interesting encounter for both teams, which made strong starts to their respective opening two rounds of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The DRC, in Group E, won both of its opening matches in the campaign, defeating Equatorial Guinea (2-0) in Kinshasa and Zimbabwe (2-1) in Harare. Uganda, for its part, in Group H, held Tunisia to a 1-1 draw in Radès before defeating Libya 1-0 in Kampala. The match will therefore bring together two confident national teams. For the Congolese side, as previously announced, head coach Sébastien Desabre will not use his regular players. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Arthur Masuaku, Axel Tuanzebe, Meschack Elia, Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Théo Bongonda, Yoane Wissa, Fiston Mayele, Brian Cipenga, Nathanaël Mbuku, Aaron Tshibola and several others have been released and replaced by several newcomers who will be given an opportunity to prove themselves. The squad currently in South Africa consists of Mathieu Epolo, Dimitri Bertaud, Gédéon Kalulu, Joris Kayembe, Jordy Makengo, Steve Kapuadi, Willy Kambwala, Chancel Mbemba, Aaron Tshibola, Kévin Pedro, Noah Sadiki, Nathanaël Mbuku, Junior Kadile, Jorthy Mokio, Brandon Ndezi, Ezechiel Banzuzi, Samuel Essende, Afimico Pululu, Théo Bongonda, Stephy Mavididi, Henock Inonga and Nathan Ndibu. Twenty-two players took part in the official pre-match training session. Defender Henock Inonga joined the squad on Wednesday evening, while goalkeeper Nathan Ndibu arrived in Pretoria on Thursday morning. The two national teams will meet again on October 5, 2026, also in South Africa, for a second international friendly.
Football: DRC and Uganda to face each other behind closed doors on Friday in Johannesburg
(DRC Leopards)