Uganda v DR Congo: Wissa return offers Leopards hope in friendly rematch

Uganda and DR Congo meet again at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium on Monday, three days after the Cranes won the first of their two friendlies 2-0. The match begins at 13:00 GMT on 5 October 2026, with both sides continuing to test players and build understanding.

Nasser Eddy, a consultant for NCI Sport and presenter of the European Champions League on Radio Nostalgie, expects a closer contest, with a draw priced at 3.61. He also makes both teams scoring at 2.03 his main selection, with a 1-1 draw available at 6.5.

Uganda have been one of the surprises of the current FIFA window. In Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Group H, which also includes Tunisia, Libya and Botswana, they drew 1-1 with Tunisia in Tunis before beating Libya 1-0 at Hoima City stadium to move top of the group.

Paul Put’s side then defeated a heavily rotated DR Congo team on Friday. Uganda, who went out in the group stage of the last Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco alongside Nigeria and Tunisia, have shown significant progress under the Belgian coach.

Captain Denis Onyango and his team-mates have scored half of their goals in the first half and half in the second across their past three matches. They averaged more than seven shots per game in their two recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures, although they also conceded an average of more than five corners and 13.5 shots per match.

DR Congo’s lineup on Friday featured only Theo Bongonda and Gedeon Kalulu among their likely regular starters. Sebastien Desabre is expected to restore more familiar faces for the second meeting, including captain Chancel Mbemba, Yoane Wissa and Samuel Moutoussamy.

The Leopards had begun their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with wins over Equatorial Guinea, 2-0 at home, and Zimbabwe, 2-1 away. Wissa scored in both matches, while Moutoussamy found the net against Zimbabwe. Their five goals were split between three in the first half and two after the interval.

Wissa’s return is particularly significant after an injury-hit previous season prevented him from appearing at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. He has since regained his fitness and form with Newcastle and DR Congo, including at the recent World Cup in America in June-July. His absence from the starting lineup on Friday was felt in attack.

Uganda lead the teams’ seven-match head-to-head record across all competitions. DR Congo have won only once, a 4-0 success in 2005 World Cup qualifying. Uganda won 2-0 at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, while DR Congo prevailed 1-0 in a friendly in Douala in June 2023.

A corner count below five is also forecast, while Wissa is tipped to score. The odds may change.