• Unresolved issues concerning the venue of their match against Niger caused the forfeiture

• Congo are still without a win in their WCQ Group

• The Country’s Sports Minister was in charge of negotiations to move the match to neighboring DR Congo

Congo has announced its withdrawal from match day 3 of the World Cup qualifier due to stadium concerns.

The decision stemmed from the non-approval of their stadium in Brazzaville, where renovations are underway at the Alphonse Massamba Débat stadium.

The Congo Football Association, represented by Sports Minister Hugues Ngouélondélé, approached DR Congo to relocate the match against Niger to Kinshasa.

However, despite awaiting inspection by CAF, Niger insisted on playing in Kinshasa rather than Brazzaville, leading to Congo’s withdrawal from match day 3.

“The Congo national team will not play in Kinshasa. We accept the package because Congo is a country of its word and, when we have given our word, we respect it,” said Ngouélondélé.

“When we are faced with a situation that does not meet our values, we do not walk with that. This is why the decision to forfeit was taken.”

Consequently, Congo finds itself second to last in group E with 0 points from 1 match. and they’ll now face Morocco on match day 4.