The theme of players based abroad being absent for FIFA World Cup qualifying games continues for African national teams and will be a factor in Thursday’s match between the Leopards of DR Congo and Tanzania. For DR Congo, captain and playmaker Gaël Kakuta will be among the players missing as well as Fulham FC’s Neeskens Kebano. Toronto FC defender Chris Mavinga and Clermont Foot player Vital N’Simba made the trip to the Congolese capital of Kinshasa but are stuck in the city due to passport issues, meaning they will not travel to Lubumbashi in the country’s southeast region for the match.
Afrik-Foot lists the absences for the Leopards ahead of the match as a weakened DR Congo side attempts to get their campaign started on the right foot in Group J, which remains a very winnable group that includes Tanzania, Madagascar and Benin.
