Congo will host Uganda in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game at Stade Alphonse Massemba-Debat on Tuesday.
The clash will have no bearing on the qualification status of either team, as the hosts are already eliminated, while the visitors have already secured their place.
Match preview
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Congo are now officially out of contention for a spot at AFCON 2025 after losing 3-2 to South Sudan at Juba Stadium on Thursday.
The Red Devils took the lead twice in the first half courtesy of Christopher Ibayi but were pegged back both times and went into the break level – things eventually went sour for the Central Africans when Bryan Passi was sent off and they eventually conceded a third in the 84th minute and could not find a way back.
Congo's AFCON qualification campaign significantly nosedived since an opening 1-0 victory over South Sudan, failing to win any of the last four matches, losing three and drawing one.
Isaac Ngata's men are in third place with four points and six behind second-placed Uganda with one game left to play, making it impossible to catch them.
The Red Devils will hope to at least end their four-match winless streak when they take to the pitch on Tuesday, but they have not won any of their last four games against the Cranes, losing three and drawing one since winning the first-ever meeting between both sides.
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Despite losing 2-0 at home against South Africa at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala last Friday, the Cranes confirmed their spot at the 2025 AFCON after Congo's loss to South Sudan.
It is the second time Paul Put's side have dropped points in this competition since drawing 2-2 against South Africa in their opening match, and this has left them with 10 points and in second place.
The Cranes have had a good year, losing only three of 10 matches played in 2024, and were on a four-match unbeaten streak prior to last Friday's defeat.
Uganda might have won more of this fixture than Tuesday's opponents, but they have never picked up an away win against Congo, losing and drawing one each in their two trips there.
Team News
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Centre-back Passi will miss this clash after being sent off last time out, leaving the Congo manager with a decision to make on who will partner Janard Mbemba in central defence.
Ibayi will hope to add to his tally after grabbing a brace last time out, if he gets to keep his spot in attack alongside Silvere Ganvoula.
Uganda have had six different scorers during this AFCON qualifier but only Denis Omedi (two) has managed to score more than once.
Jude Ssemugabi has scored just one goal so far and he will hope to add to this tally when he leads the line again.
Congo possible starting lineup:
Vimalin; Dembi, Mbemba, Bidounga, Poaty; Makouta, Ossette; Ndockyt, Bassouamina; Ibayi, Ganvoula
Uganda possible starting lineup:
Watenga; Semakula, Mugabi, Awany, Kayondo; Aucho, Lwanga; Omedi, Okello, Mato; Ssemugabi
We say: Congo 1-1 Uganda
While Uganda have been the better team in this qualifying campaign, they are likely to make some changes to their starting XI, which might lower their level, and coupled with their poor history away at Congo, we think they might struggle to secure a win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
