The match on Friday, September 5, 2025, at Juba National Stadium between South Sudan and DR Congo is highly anticipated as part of the 7th round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Africa zone, Group B. This highly competitive group also includes Senegal, Mauritania, Togo, and Sudan, but DR Congo currently leads with 16 points, followed by Senegal and Sudan with 12 points each.
South Sudan, the bottom team in the group, continues to struggle after six games without a victory, recording only three draws and three losses. Their defense is the most conceding in the group with 10 goals allowed, including heavy defeats to Senegal (4-0) and Sudan (3-0). Offensively, the team has difficulty scoring, having only 2 goals in total during these qualifiers. Their last match against DR Congo, lost 1-0 in March, already showed their limitations, which they will try to overcome on home ground.
Against this struggling South Sudanese team, DR Congo shows tactical calm and remarkable solidity. With a record of four wins, one draw, and one loss, the Leopards, led by Sébastien Desabre, have scored 11 goals while conceding only 3, indicating balance and discipline. Their draw in Dakar against Senegal (1-1) confirms their ability to compete with the best in the group. The Congolese squad has also incorporated experienced players such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Cédric Bakambu, who scored in the first meeting against South Sudan.
For this match, DR Congo will need to confirm its leading position and continue its path toward direct qualification for the World Cup. South Sudan, meanwhile, will be under pressure to try to secure their first win to revive their ambitions in this tough Group B. In a group where every point counts, the balance of power remains fragile, but the Leopards clearly start as favorites against a South Sudanese team searching for direction and hope.