Congo coach Pierre Lechantre says they are no favourities in Africa’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group E where his side face Ghana, Egypt and Uganda.

The 2000 Africa Cup of Nations winning coach with Cameroon starts his campaign against Egypt at home on 03 October

Les Diables Rouges (Red Devils) will face the Black Stars at the Stade Municipal de Kintélé in August 2017 to end the first round of the qualifiers.

For the experienced Frenchman, his side have got an equal chance of reaching Russia just like the other Group opponents.

"With the four teams being more or less at the same level, anything could happen in our group,” he told FIFA.com in an exclusive interview.

"I believe that despite a difference of around 30-60 per cent in terms of [individual] ability, as teams they’re all closely matched and we all have a chance of reaching Russia 2018."

He added: “As everyone knows, there are no longer ‘small’ teams in Africa.

"African football has developed a great deal over the past few years. Perhaps Congo and Uganda look the weakest on paper, but Egypt are no longer as strong as they used to be years back, while Ghana are going through a rebuilding process.

"So, it’s my belief that the teams in this group are very closely matched, with each of them having a chance to win the group."

Lechantre has also coached Mali and a number of the continent’s heavyweight clubs, such as MAS Fez (Morocco), Club Africain, CS Sfaxien (both Tunisia), and Libya’s Al Ittihad.