DR Congo has replaced Reunion as opponents of the 2018 COSAFA U20 Cup hosts Zambia.
The Indian Ocean Islanders withdrew from the tournament to be held in Kitwe from December 2-14 citing logistical problems.
Reunion, who are a COSAFA associate member, were drawn to face Zambia in their opening Group A fixture on December 2 at Nkana Stadium.
Instead, DR Congo have accepted an invitation at short notice from COSAFA just three days after the draws were made in Kitwe to take up Reunion’s Group A slot.
Mozambique and Malawi are the other teams in Group A.
It will be the third team DR Congo will participate as a COSAFA guest side.
DR Congo finished third at the 2016 COSAFA U20 Cup in South Africa after their senior counterparts earlier in the year finished fourth at the COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup that was also hosted by the same country.