RDC v Uganda: kick-off time, venue and how to watch the friendly

The Democratic Republic of the Congo face Uganda in the first of two friendly internationals in Johannesburg on Friday, 2 October, with the match being played at the FNB Stadium.

The Leopards and the Cranes are using the end of the international window to meet twice in South Africa, following the opening two rounds of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has confirmed that Uganda have travelled for the double-header, with a second fixture scheduled later in the same camp.

Kick-off is at 14:00 in Kinshasa, 15:00 in South Africa and 15:00 in France.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo completed their final training session at the FNB Stadium on Thursday. RTNC is expected to broadcast the friendly, although further details about coverage could be announced in the hours before kick-off.

The fixture gives Sebastien Desabre’s side the opportunity to assess an Uganda team undergoing significant change. With Uganda preparing to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya and Tanzania, FUFA has begun a major operation to identify eligible players from the diaspora.

The Ugandan federation says it has compiled a database of more than 200 professional footballers with potential links allowing them to represent the Cranes. Several new players have already joined the national team.

They include Abdoulaye Sissako, a former France Under-18 and Under-19 international of Malian descent who is eligible through his grandmother, who was born in Kampala.

Souleyman Diaby, who is of Ivorian heritage, is eligible through a maternal grandfather reportedly from Masaka, while Gaucho Debohi has a maternal grandmother reportedly born in Majanji. Goalkeeper Akpan Udoh, a former Under-17 World Cup winner with Nigeria, also has a grandparent from Busia.

Arnold Vula will attract particular attention from the Congolese camp. The Beerschot striker was born to Congolese parents but now represents Uganda through his paternal grandmother, who was born in Pakwach in the north-west of the country.

The 27-year-old made an immediate impact on his Uganda debut, scoring a headed winner in a 1-0 victory over Libya on Tuesday. That result gave the Cranes three valuable points in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Just three days later, Vula will face the country of his parents in a potentially significant occasion for the forward.

Uganda will host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Kenya and Tanzania from 19 June to 17 July 2027. Ugandan authorities say the three main stadiums being prepared for the tournament will be completed on time.

However, work is still behind schedule in some areas. At the end of September, Sports Minister Peter Ogwang called for construction to be accelerated at several training grounds.

For the Leopards, the immediate priority is to use the two matches against an evolving Uganda side to continue Sebastien Desabre’s work and provide playing time for the many new faces in the squad.