Uganda Cranes and AFCON Qualifiers: DR Congo Tests 

Uganda Cranes face Tunisia and Libya in the AFCON qualifiers before playing two friendlies against DR Congo in Abidjan. 

Uganda Cranes and AFCON qualifiers preparations will dominate the international window as Paul Put’s team face Tunisia and Libya before two friendlies against DR Congo in Abidjan.

Former Uganda coach Sébastien Desabre has selected separate DR Congo groups for the competitive fixtures and the friendly double-header. The demanding programme gives both national teams four matches within 16 days, stretching from September 21 to October 6.

For Uganda, the schedule offers an opportunity to build a team ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which the country will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.

Uganda Cranes International Schedule

The first two matches carry competitive significance, while the DR Congo games will allow Put to test tactical alternatives, assess squad depth and manage players after a demanding qualifying programme.

Why Uganda Still Play in the Qualifiers

Uganda are automatically qualified for AFCON 2027 as tournament co-hosts, but the Cranes are still participating in Group H alongside Tunisia, Libya and Botswana.

CAF’s qualification format states that Uganda’s place at the finals is guaranteed regardless of their group position. The highest-placed team alongside Uganda will claim the other qualification place from Group H.

That arrangement means the Cranes’ results can significantly influence the contest between Tunisia, Libya and Botswana. It also ensures Uganda receive competitive fixtures instead of relying entirely on friendlies during preparations for the home tournament.

The away match against Tunisia should provide an immediate measure of Uganda’s readiness. Tunisia possess extensive AFCON experience and are traditionally difficult to face at home. Libya’s visit five days later offers a different tactical challenge and places greater pressure on Uganda to control possession before their supporters.

Desabre Faces a Demanding Schedule

Desabre, who previously coached the Uganda Cranes, must guide DR Congo through two AFCON qualifiers before turning his attention to the Abidjan friendlies.

The Leopards host Equatorial Guinea on September 24 and visit Zimbabwe four days later. They then face Uganda twice, giving Desabre little recovery and preparation time between competitive and friendly assignments.

He has responded by selecting different groups for the two phases. Several established players feature in the qualifying squad, while the friendly list contains younger and less-established options who could use the Uganda matches to strengthen their international claims.

The approach should reduce the physical burden on players while allowing the technical team to examine a broader pool. It also makes the two friendlies less predictable because DR Congo could present different combinations in each match.

DR Congo Players to Watch

Yoane Wissa supplies pace, movement and finishing in attack, while Noah Sadiki and Edo Kayembe add energy in midfield. Their presence gives the Leopards a core for the qualifiers.

For the Uganda friendlies, Jackson Muleka, Samuel Essende, Anthony Musaba and Afimico Pululu offer different attacking qualities. Jorthy Mokio and Paris Maghoma are among the midfielders who could receive valuable opportunities in Abidjan.

What the Friendlies Offer Uganda

Facing DR Congo twice gives Put more than preparation minutes. The first game can reveal tactical weaknesses, while the second provides an immediate opportunity to make corrections against the same opponent.

The coaching staff will also need to manage fatigue. Players based abroad must travel between club and international duties, while locally based selections may be coming from Uganda Premier League or continental club fixtures.

Put’s challenge is to remain competitive against Tunisia and Libya without exhausting key players before the DR Congo tests. Squad rotation, recovery work and careful management of injuries will therefore be central to the entire window.

What It Means for Ugandan Supporters

The Uganda Cranes and AFCON qualifiers schedule gives supporters four national-team fixtures across less than two weeks. Fans in Kampala, Jinja, Gulu, Mbarara and other parts of the country can assess both immediate results and the longer-term development of Put’s squad.

The Libya qualifier at home should provide the strongest opportunity for direct local support. The Abidjan friendlies will then offer further evidence about which combinations deserve to remain together as preparations for AFCON 2027 intensify.

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Conclusion

Uganda Cranes and AFCON qualifiers preparations now form one connected assignment. Competitive matches against Tunisia and Libya will test Uganda’s current level before the two DR Congo friendlies provide space for tactical adjustments.

Desabre’s expanded selection shows that DR Congo are treating the window as both a results mission and a squad-building exercise. For Put and the Cranes, the objective is similar: compete now while constructing a team capable of representing Uganda strongly at AFCON 2027.