Uganda Cranes secured a 2-0 victory over DR Congo in the first of two friendly matches in South Africa on Friday evening.
Paul Put handed first starts to six players including recently naturalised trio David Akpan, Abdoulaye Sissako and Kevin Boateng.
Akpan started in goal while French-born Sissako operated in midfield and Ghana-born Boateng led the attack.
Uganda took the lead on seven minutes after James Bogere capitalised on a poor pass from DR Congo goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud before finishing emphatically.
Bogere remained a threat in behind the Congolese defence and nearly doubled the advantage after being played through by debutant Boateng only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
Sissako gradually grew into the game and produced the moment of the match four minutes after the restart.
He used a Zidane-style roulette to evade his marker before driving into the DR Congo half and releasing Boateng on the right.
Boateng made no mistake sending a low effort across Bertaud and into the far corner to double Uganda's lead.
DR Congo struggled to create clear-cut chances with Theo Bongonda's first-half header that narrowly missed the target among their best opportunities.
Uganda came close to a third when substitute Frank Ssebuufu pounced on another mistake by Bertaud but his volley struck the crossbar.
The two teams will meet again in the second friendly on Monday 5th October.
Key facts
- Result: DR Congo 0-2 Uganda Cranes
- Venue: South Africa
- Date: Friday 2 October 2026
- Scorers: James Bogere (7'), Kevin Boateng (49')
- Debutants: David Akpan (GK), Abdoulaye Sissako, Kevin Boateng plus three others
- Next match: Second friendly Monday 5 October 2026
Source: ChimpReports
