Eyes on the future as Congo, Uganda clash in Brazzaville dead-rubber

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Sunday Nov 12, 2017. 10:00

Congo and Uganda will have one eye on the future when they go head-to-head in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Stade Municipal de Kintélé in Brazzaville on Sunday afternoon.

Kick-off is at 15h30 local time (16h30 CAT).

The match is a mere formality with Egypt having emerged victorious in Group E - subsequently booking their place at a first World Cup since 1990.

Both Congo and Uganda were hopeful of shining on the world's stage for the very first time, but it was not to be for either nation.

The Cranes, though, can especially hold their heads high having held Ghana to successive goalless draws, while also registering a notable 1-0 win over the Pharaohs in Kampala.

Diables Rouges have endured a tougher time, and suffered defeat in both of their previous two home matches [1-2 to Egypt] and [1-5 to Ghana], but did show great resilience in both Alexandria and Kumasi.

Despite the match being classified as a so called 'dead-rubber' - Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango has highlighted the importance of the clash for the Cranes.

“We need to get into the habit of winning away from home so that it helps us build a winning mentality,” Onyango added.

"It may be a so-called dead rubber, but for us it means everything,"

"We are using it to prepare for other upcoming engagements and we want to finish strong and get a better seeding and draws," he concluded.

The reverse fixture in Kampala last year ended in a 1-0 win for the then hosts. Farouk Miya with the only goal of the game.