Brentford striker Yoane Wissa and the Luton Town evergreen Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu are the two Premier League players likely to feature against Bafana Bafana later this month after being called up by the Democratic Republic of Congo to a 27-man squad to take on Sudan and South Africa next month.
Coach Sébastien Desabre has named players from clubs across Europe and elsewhere in Africa for the decisive Group I Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan in Kinshasa on September 9 and then the friendly international at the Orlando stadium in Soweto on September 12.
DR Congo need only draw against Sudan to be assured of a place at the Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast in January, going into the final round of games in the lead in their group.
Mpanzu and Wissa are among the list of experienced attackers, reinforced by the return from suspension of Cedric Bakambu, who was controversially sent off in the qualifiers in March and missed DR Congo’s last game in the qualifiers – a 2-0 win in Gabon in June.
Also back in the squad is the Besiktas centre-forward Jackson Muleka, who has not played for his country since last September’s friendly against Burkina Faso.
Italian-based defensive midfielder Charles Pickel has been called up for the first time despite being a former Swiss under-20 international. He has made a switch in international allegiance.
Former West Ham United fullback Arthur Masuaku, now playing at Besiktas in Turkey, was called up although did not play in the Turkish league on Monday because of a thigh strain and could be forced to pull out.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Lionel Mpasi (Rodez, France), Esdras Kabamba (Bravos do Maquis, Angola), Baggio Siadi (TP Mazembe)
Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (St Etienne, France), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian, Scotland), Jordan Ikoko (Pafos, Cyprus), Henock Inonga (Simba, Tanzania), Gédéon Kalulu (Lorient, France), Arthur Masuaku (Besiktas, Turkey), Chancel Mbemba (Olympique de Marseille, France), Vital Nsimba (Girondins Bordeaux, France)
Midfielders: Chadrac Akolo (St Gallen, Switzerland), William Balikwisha (Standard Liege, Belgium), Gaël Kakuta (Amiens, France), Edo Kayembe (Watford, England), Omenuke Mfulu (Las Palmas, Spain), Samuel Moutoussamy (Nantes, France), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (Luton Town, England), Charles Pickel (Cremonese, Italy)
Forwards: Cédric Bakambu (Galatasaray, Turkjey), Théo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Meschack Elia (Young Boys Berne, Switzerland), Aldo Kalulu (Partizan Belgrade, Serbia), Silas Katompa (VfB Stuttgart, Germany), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids, Egypt), Jackson Muleka (Besiktas, Turkey), Yoane Wissa (Brentford, England).
