The Democratic Republic of the Congo will face Uganda twice in October as the two countries prepare for a friendly series during the upcoming FIFA international window.
The matches have been scheduled for 2 and 5 October, with both encounters expected to take place in South Africa on neutral ground.
The dates were confirmed by the Uganda Football Federation (FUFA), which recently announced its squad for the two-match series.
Information from sources close to the Congolese football federation, FECOFA, indicates that South Africa will host the meetings between the two national sides.
The two friendlies will provide an opportunity for both teams to work on their tactical approach and assess the players available to their respective coaching staffs in competitive match conditions.
For the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the games come at an important stage of preparations for future continental competition.
The Leopards are scheduled to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe before taking part in the two-match series against Uganda.
The timing of the fixtures means the Congolese coaching staff will have an opportunity to build on the competitive action provided by the opening qualifiers. The matches against Uganda are expected to help the team maintain its momentum while allowing the coaches to examine the form and suitability of their players.
The double-header will also provide additional time for the DRC to work on its tactical plans.
With the matches being played on neutral territory in South Africa, both sides will have an environment in which they can concentrate on their preparations and evaluate their squads away from their usual home surroundings.
FUFA’s confirmation of the fixtures has established the dates for what promises to be an important period of international activity for Uganda and the DRC.
The first meeting is scheduled for 2 October, followed by the second match three days later on 5 October.
The two games will form part of the FIFA international window and give both coaching teams an opportunity to test their respective squads.
For the DRC in particular, the matches have been arranged at a significant point in its international programme. The Leopards will already have begun their qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe providing their first competitive tests.
The Uganda friendlies will therefore offer the Congolese staff the chance to continue working with the squad after those qualifiers.
Maintaining competitive rhythm will be one of the main benefits of the series for the DRC. The coaching staff will also be able to make tactical adjustments and examine the team’s condition following the opening stages of the qualifying campaign.
The matches will provide further opportunities to assess individual players and determine how the squad is developing ahead of future continental commitments.
Both teams are expected to use the encounters as part of their wider preparation, with the neutral venue in South Africa offering suitable conditions for tactical experimentation and squad evaluation.
The decision to play the games in South Africa also means neither side will have the advantage of home conditions.
For the DRC, the priority will be to use the two matches to sharpen its approach and keep the squad competitive after the start of the AFCON qualifying campaign.
The Leopards’ meetings with Uganda on 2 and 5 October will consequently form an important part of their preparations, giving the coaching staff further evidence on the team’s form and allowing them to refine their plans for the continental challenges ahead.
