The Democratic Republic of Congo will face Chile in their final World Cup warm-up match with no fans in the stadium, after health officials raised concerns about the Ebola outbreak back home.
The decision to close the doors to supporters means the game will go ahead without the usual crowd energy that national teams rely on heading into a major tournament. It is a precautionary measure, but one that reflects just how seriously the situation at home is being taken.
For a squad preparing to represent Congo on the world stage, this is a difficult backdrop. Whether the silence of an empty stadium sharpens their focus or weighs on their spirit is the question worth watching when the whistle blows.
Originally published by BBC Africa.