Still looking for their first victory of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, South Sudan entertain the challenge of Congo at the Juba Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
While the hosts are already out of the running to secure a place at next year's continental event, the visitors are still in contention but would need to come out on top here to keep their hopes alive.
Match preview
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It was an all too familiar story for South Sudan last time out, as they were on the receiving end of a narrow 2-1 defeat against Uganda when the sides went head-to-head in their fourth AFCON qualifying matchup on October 15.
After going behind to Denis Omedi's 15th-minute opener, Nicolas Dupuis's men got themselves back on level terms through Yohanna Juma midway through the first half before Alfred Jeku inadvertently turned the ball past his own goalkeeper to settle matters.
A fourth defeat on the bounce means that alongside Namibia and Malawi, the Bright Stars are one of three teams still without a point to their name in the AFCON qualifiers, ruling them out of the race to make it through from Group K.
South Sudan are also in trouble in their World Cup qualifying group, where they currently sit bottom but one in Group B, having managed only two points from four outings, although with just enough matches to remedy the situation.
In what is set to be their penultimate game of 2024, Thursday's hosts could really do with a return to winning ways before closing out the year with a clash against South Africa at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday.
Congo battled hard to force a share of the spoils against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in last month's meeting at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Debat, which ended in a tight 1-1 stalemate.
Isaac Ngata's men looked to be on course for defeat number three on the bounce after trailing to Elias Mokwana's opener just past the half-hour mark before Mons Bassouamina restored parity with his first goal in over five months.
While Congo's AFCON qualification campaign has significantly nosedived since an opening 1-0 victory over South Sudan in the most recent meeting between the sides, they just about remain in the hunt for a continental spot.
Congo would need results elsewhere to go their way if their AFCON dreams are to last into the final round of qualifying matches, but all they can do for now is come away with all three points in their upcoming encounter.
However, their recent record on the road does not make for good reading as Thursday's visitors head into the clash having lost both of their most recent two matches as an away team by a combined score of 7-0.
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Team News
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Following his strike against South Africa, Mons Bassouamina has now doubled his tally of goals for Congo (two) and will be looking to come up with the goods once again.
Trey Vimalin is fending off competition from Marly Prince Heritier and David Opoundja to feature between the sticks as it stands, and the goalkeeper is in line to feature here.
Beni Namboka has been handed his first call-up to the visitors' senior squad, but it remains to be seen if the forward will make his official debut in Thursday's contest.
Like Namboka, Nelson Victor still awaits his first outing on the international scene after only just receiving his maiden invitation in October's game against Uganda.
Midfielder Peter Chol is set to record his 40th international cap which would see him extend his lead at the top of the hosts' all-time appearances chart.
South Sudan possible starting lineup:
Jenaro; Taban, Thomas, Pal; Atendele, Gama, Chol, Okocha; Jawa, Leku, Juma
Congo possible starting lineup:
Vimalin; Fauriel, Mbemba, Passi, Etou; Makouta, Ossette; Ndockyt, Bassouamina, Mboungou; Ganvoula
We say: South Sudan 1-2 Congo
While South Sudan have little to play for in Thursday's clash, we expect them to put up a decent fight as they look to avoid a fifth straight defeat.
That said, we just about fancy Congo to emerge victorious at the end of the 90 minutes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
