African Nations Cup qualifiers kick off across the continent this weekend, with Group G one of the more fascinating of the 12 qualifying pools.
Battles across the Congo river have been rare in African football but the mouth- watering prospect of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo being drawn in the same qualifying group has finally been realised, with the rivals set to meet as they battle for a spot at the 2019 Afcon.
The neighbours meet in Kinshasa on Saturday at the start of the campaign in arguably the most anticipated of the 24 fixtures on the opening weekend of the group phase of the qualifiers.
Their last clash was a six-goal thriller in Equatorial Guinea at the 2015 Nations Cup, finals but they were last paired in the same qualifying group ahead of the 2002 World Cup, where the former Zaire won 2-0 at home and drew 1-1 in Brazzaville.
DR Congo have a much weakened squad ahead of this weekend's game, as regulars Youssouf Mulumbu, Yannick Bolasie, Neeskens Kebano, Dieumerci Mbokani, Paul-José Mpoku and Marcel Tisserand are all either injured or out of form.
However, Benik Afobe from Bournemouth can finally kick off his international career after skipping the tournament in Gabon to stay with his English club in January.
For Congo, Monaco's 20-year-old midfielder Yhoan Andzouana is set for a debut along with Tobias Badila and Dylan Bahamboula, who are French-born but have declared for the Red Devils. Bahamboula played two games for France at under-20 level.
The two other teams in this group will also have high hopes of success, and Zimbabwe and Liberia face off in Harare in their opening group game.
Zimbabwe must likely do without Khama Billiat of African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who has not played for week because of a knee injury. The attacker also had to endure a spat with the South African club this week over his failure to arrive in the capital for medical checks.
Liberia named 14 foreign-based players in their squad for the trip.
Squads
CONGO
Goalkeepers: Christoffer Mafoumbi (Free State Stars, South Africa), Barel Mouko (La Mancha), Pavelh Ndzila (Etoile du Congo)
Defenders: Marvin Baudry (Zulte-Waregem, Belgium), Arnold Bouka Moutou (Dijon, France), Tobias Badila (Nancy, France), Clevid Dikamona (Bourg-en-Bresse, France), Francis N'Ganga (Charleroi, Belgium), Beranger Itoua (CARA Brazzaville)
Midfielders: Yhoan Andzouana (Monaco, France), Durel Avounou (Caen, France), Hardy Binguila, Charlery Mabiala (both AJ Auxerre, France), Jordan Massengo (Union St Gilloise, Belgium), Delvin Ndinga (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Merveil Ndockyt (FK Tirana, Albania), Prince Oniangué (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England)
Forwards: Dylan Bahamboula (Dijon, France), Thievy Bifouma (Osmanlisport, Turkey), Fodé Doré (Angers, France), Sylver Ganvoula (Anderlecht, Belgium), Moïse Nkounkou (FK Tirana, Albania), Fabrice Ondama (Wydad Casablanca, Morocco).
DR CONGO
Goalkeepers: Joel Kiasumbwa (FC Wohlen, Switzerland), Ley Matampi (TP Mazembe Englebert), Franck Nkela (Tubize, Belgium)
Defenders: Yannick Bangala (AS Vita Club), Merveille Bope (Standard Liège, Belgium), Jordan Ikoko (En Avant Guingamp, France), Christian Luyindama(Standard Liège, Belgium), Isama Mpeko (TP Mazembe Englebert), Glody Ngonda (AS Vita Club), Fabrice Nsakala (Alanyasport, Turkey), Gabriel Zakuani (Northampton Town, England)
Midfielders: Gael Kakuta (Deportivo la Coruna, Spain), Jacques Maghoma (Birmingham City, England), Chancel Mbemba (Newcastle United, England), Wilfred Moke (Steaua Bucharest, Romania), Remi Mulumba (Gazelec Ajaccio, France)
Forwards: Benik Afobe (Bournemouth, England), Jonathan Bolingi (Standard Liège, Belgium), Cédric Bakambu (Villarreal, Spain), Junior Kabananga (FC Astana, Kazakhstan), Firmin Mubele (Stade Rennes, France), Yeni Ngbakoto (Queens Park Rangers, England), Ricky Tulengi (DC Motema Pembe).
ZIMBABWE
Goalkeepers: George Chigova (Polokwane City, South Africa), Petros Mhari (FC Platinum), Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders), Edmore Sibanda (CAPS United)
Defenders: Qadr Amini (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Onismos Bhasera (SuperSport United, South Africa), Eric Chipeta (Ajax Cape Town, South Africa), Dennis Dauda (CAPS United), Teenage Hadebe (Chicken Inn), Partson Jaure (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Sydney Linyama, Jameson Mukombwe (both Black Rhinos), Lincoln Zvasiya (Dynamos)
Midfielders: Devon Chafa (CAPS United), Liberty Chakoroma (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Ronald Chitiyo (CAPS United), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Lamontville Golden Arrows, South Africa), Thabani Kamusoko (Young Africans), Ovidy Karuru (AmaZulu, South Africa), Marvelous Nakamba (Vitesse Arnhem, Netherlands), Danny Phiri (Lamontville Golden Arrows, South Africa), Simon Shoko (FC Platinum)
Forwards: Khama Billiat (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Prince Dube (Highlanders), Knowledge Musona (Oostende, Belgium), Tendai Ndoro (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)