The Democratic Republic of the Congo will face Uganda in a friendly in Johannesburg on 2 October 2026, with Mahamad Sangare, presenter of the sports debate programme La VAR on Burkina info TV, tipping the Leopards to score more than 1.5 goals at odds of 2.08.
Match context
Sebastien Desabre’s DR Congo are top of Group E in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after winning both of their opening matches. They beat Equatorial Guinea 2-0 in Kinshasa before defeating Zimbabwe 2-1 in Harare, giving them six points from six and three points secured away from home.
Uganda began their qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw against Tunisia in Rades on 24 September 2026. Rogers Mato equalised in the 68th minute after Tunisia had taken the lead.
The result was significant because Uganda are co-hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya and Tanzania and have already qualified for the finals. Their qualifying fixtures therefore provide competitive preparation for the tournament.
DR Congo’s recent form is particularly strong. They have won their past two matches, while also scoring three goals against Uzbekistan, two against Equatorial Guinea and two against Zimbabwe. The friendly matches may nevertheless give Desabre an opportunity to assess new players and tactical systems.
Uganda will take confidence from recovering against Tunisia, although their defensive organisation and attacking efficiency will need to be tested further against the Leopards.
Players to watch
Desabre has selected a specific squad for Uganda’s two friendlies, scheduled for 2 and 5 October 2026 in South Africa. The matches are intended partly to introduce new players and broaden his options.
Jackson Muleka, Afimico Pululu and Samuel Essende are among the attacking players to watch, while Willy Kambwala and Jorthy Mokio offer the technical staff the chance to examine further defensive possibilities. The games should also help DR Congo build cohesion and assess different combinations.
Uganda have called up 28 players under Paul Put, with the squad including footballers based in Africa, Europe and the United States. Rogers Mato, who plays for Hearts FC in Scotland, scored against Tunisia. Steven Mukwala of Al Nasr SC in Libya and Denis Omedi of Gor Mahia in Kenya are further attacking options.
Head-to-head record and betting options
DR Congo lead the historical record, with seven wins from the 14 meetings recorded before October 2026. Uganda have won five times and two matches have ended in draws. Uganda won the most recent notable meeting 2-0 at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, while their last friendly victory over DR Congo came in January 2011. DR Congo scored four goals in their latest official matches.
Other statistical betting options are a DR Congo win at 1.63, both teams to score at 2.26, more than 1.5 goals at 1.40 and an even total at 1.73.
The suggested selections are more than 1.5 DR Congo goals at 2.08, fewer than 3.5 goals at 1.19 and a 2-0 scoreline at 6.49.