Herita Ilunga was on the losing side in the French city of Blois in an all-African friendly encounter on Wednesday night.
The DR Congo left-back returned to the country where he made his footballing name with Saint-Etienne and Toulouse for the exhibition match against Senegal on the banks of the river Loire. After a goalless first half, the Senegal team came out on top in the second half. Both teams have long been eliminated from 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying and in turn have failed to make next January's CAF African Cup of Nations.
Later on Wednesday night, Jonathan Spector was an unused substitute as the United States lost 2-1 to Mexico in a World Cup qualifier at the Azetca Stadium. The match appeared destined to finish in a 1-1 draw until a late winner from Miguel Sabah. Spector was pipped to the right-back berth by the experienced Steve Cherundolo.
The result moves Mexico to within a point of the second-placed US in CONCACAF qualifying for next summer's World Cup in South Africa. The top three teams in the six-nation table will automatically qualify with the fourth-placed country to feature in a play-off against a South American qualifier.