Having missed out on the last two AFCON tournaments, Uganda were eager to get their qualifying campaign off to a winning start and almost pulled off an upset against South Africa on the opening day.

Paul Put's side came within touching distance of all three points at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday, but ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils in Pretoria.

After falling behind to Lyle Foster's opener, the Cranes bounced back in the second half with quickfire goals from Denis Omedi and Rogers Mato Kassim before Thalente Mbatha's stoppage-time equaliser.

Since opening 2024 with a 1-0 friendly win over Kuwait, Monday's hosts have won just one of their subsequent five matches in all competitions, against Botswana in June.

Nevertheless, Uganda's performance against South Africa will give them some hope going into Monday's clash with an opponent who have won just one of their previous five matches.

Congo kicked off their Group K campaign with a much-needed 1-0 win over Bright Stars of South Sudan when the teams met at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Debat on Thursday night.

Massanga Matondo's goal inside the first 15 minutes was enough to give Isaac Ngata his first win in charge since taking over from Paul Put on Monday.

It was a first win for the Red Devils in six matches dating back to March 2023, when they also beat South Sudan in an AFCON qualifier, albeit in vain as they failed to progress to the competition's finals.

The chance to record back-to-back wins for the first time since 2018 now awaits Congo, who are still recovering from a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Morocco in a World Cup qualifier in June.

Uganda possible starting lineup:

Watenga; Kayondo, Capradossi, Mugabi, Bwomono; Aucho, Mutyaba, Ssekiganda; Mato, Mukwala, Omedi

Congo possible starting lineup:

Ndzila; Etou, Bidounga, Passi, Andzouana; Dembi, Massanga; Bassouamina, Ndockyt, Mboungou; Ganvoula

Prediction:Uganda 1-0 Congo

Uganda VS Congostream and TV listing

International：Holasports