Mbuku scores, 91st-minute equalizer: DR Congo leaves Johannesburg with a draw (1-1)

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda played to a 1-1 draw on Monday, October 5, 2026, in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the end of the second leg of a friendly double-header played far from both Kinshasa and Kampala.

Sébastien Desabre's Leopards long believed they had secured their revenge. Dominant in the first half but unable to capitalize on their attacks, they went into the locker room with a scoreless draw, according to Radio Okapi. Winger Nathanael Mbuku finally broke the deadlock in the 54th minute, taking advantage of an opponent's turnover. The Cranes, for their part, waited until the 91st minute to equalize in the final moments of stoppage time.

An unfinished revenge

This draw leaves a bitter taste, as Uganda had won the first leg 2-0 a few days earlier on the same South African pitch. After that initial defeat, Sébastien Desabre had publicly acknowledged the setback, according to Radio Okapi. The draw on October 5 at least confirms progress in terms of performance: the Congolese created numerous dangerous situations and sought to be, in the words reported by Actualité.cd, "more incisive in the final third."

Uganda, meanwhile, continues to pose problems for the DRC. Two matches, one win and one draw: the Cranes leave South Africa undefeated against an opponent that is nevertheless considered more highly ranked on the continent.

A training camp to expand the squad

Beyond the result, this international window served primarily as a laboratory. The Congolese staff tested several new faces, all of whom are now eligible for official matches, with the exception of young Jorthy Mokio, who must still wait three years, specifies Actualité.cd.

For a national team aiming for the Africa Cup of Nations and looking to build for the long term, these two matches without any points at stake are worth as much for the lessons learned as for the scores. Nevertheless, the Leopards will need to turn this sterile dominance into efficiency when points are on the line: that is the price the DRC must pay to regain its standing among the great nations of African football.