Congo have announced their squad for the anticipated 2018 World Cup qualifier against Egypt at Alexandria's Borg El-Arab Stadium on 8 October. The Club Africain striker Fabrice Ondama has been eliminated from the Group E game, the results of which will not have an impact on the Congolese side. Congo have lost their bid for the most prestigious football tournament after a stunning 5-1 home loss to Ghana in the last round. Congo only gained a solitary point from four matches, four less than Ghana, while Egypt are currently lying top of the group with nine points, two ahead of Uganda. Egypt, however, need to win the game to secure their first World Cup place since 1990. If Egypt win and Ghana defeat Uganda, the Pharaohs will automatically qualify, even before playing Ghana away. The Congo squad will be as follows: Goalkeepers: Christoffer Mafoumbi (Blackpool, England), Barel Mouko (La Mancha), Perrauld Ndina (Patronage) Pavelh Ndzila (Etoile du Congo) Defenders: Marvin Baudry (Zulte-Waregem, Belgium), Dimitri Bissiki (AC Léopards), Arnold Bouka Moutou (Dijon, France), Tobias Badila (Nancy, France), Vladis-Emmerson Illoy-Ayyet (Olimpik Donetsk, Ukraine), Beranger Itoua (CARA Brazzaville), Baron Kibamba (CARA Brazzaville), Fernand Mayembo (Grenoble, France), Varel Rozan (AC Léopards), Romaric Etou Thomaso (Palmarès) Midfielders: Durel Avounou (Caen, France), Matheus Botamba (Tongo), Césaire Gandzé (AC Léopards), Charlery Mabiala (Auxerre, France), Delvin Ndinga (Sivasspor, Turkey), Merveil Ndockyt (Getafe, Spain), Prince Oniangué (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Yves Pambou (Dunajská Streda, Slovakia) Forwards: Dylan Bahamboula (Dijon, France), Thievy Bifouma (Sivasspor, Turkey), Dzon Delarge (Bursaspor, Turkey), Fodé Doré (Clermont Foot, France), Rahavi Kifouéti (Doxa Katokopias, Cyprus), Kévin Koubemba (CSKA Sofia, Bulgaria), Dylan Saint-Louis (St Etienne, France), Mavis Tchibota (Bnei Yehuda, Israel), Juvhel Tsoumou (Ermis Aradippou, Cyprus).
