Full Breakdown
DR Congo Beats Zimbabwe 2-1 to Keep Perfect Start in 2027 AFCON Qualifiers
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Core Match Details
On September 28, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) travelled to Harare’s National Sports Stadium for a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Zimbabwe. The Leopards took the lead in the 30th minute when striker Yoane Wissa capitalised on a mistake by goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, poking a loose ball into the net. In first-half stoppage time, Wissa provided the assist for Samuel Moutoussamy, who finished from inside the box to make it 2-0. Zimbabwe earned a consolation goal in the 90th minute through Marshall Munetsi, but the result stood at 2-1, giving DR Congo their second consecutive win.
Background & Context
The match formed part of the Group E stage of the 2027 AFCON qualification campaign, which features DR Congo, Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone. DR Congo entered the game on six points after a 2-0 home victory over Equatorial Guinea, while Zimbabwe arrived with three points from a 3-2 win over Sierra Leone. The Leopards also came off a historic last-32 finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underscoring their recent rise on the continental stage.
Zimbabwe’s home venue had not hosted an international fixture since November 2021, when the stadium was deemed unsuitable and underwent extensive renovations, including a new pitch. The match therefore marked a return to international play for Harare.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: DR Congo 2 – 1 Zimbabwe
- Goal minutes: 30´ (Wissa), first-half added time (Moutoussamy), 90´ (Munetsi)
- Age of scorer: Wissa, 30 years old, plays for Newcastle United
- World-ranking gap: Zimbabwe were 89 places higher than DR Congo at kickoff
- Group E standings after match: DR Congo 6 points (2 wins), Zimbabwe 3 points, Equatorial Guinea 3 points, Sierra Leone 0 points
- Attendance: Approximately 60,000 spectators, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa
Official Statements & Responses
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that Yoane Wissa scored one goal and created the other for Samuel Moutoussamy. CAF’s competition regulations also note that the highest-placed team outside the three co-host nations (Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania) will qualify automatically, heightening the importance of early points in each group.
Why It Matters
DR Congo’s perfect start places them firmly in control of Group E, giving them a cushion ahead of the next round of fixtures. Securing maximum points away from home demonstrates the team’s ability to perform under pressure and strengthens their bid to qualify as the group’s top non-host nation. For Zimbabwe, the late goal by Munetsi highlights resilience but also underscores defensive vulnerabilities that must be addressed to remain in contention. The result also reinforces the competitive balance of Group E, where three teams sit on three points each, ensuring a tightly contested race for the sole qualification spot.
What’s Next
Zimbabwe’s next group match is scheduled for November against Equatorial Guinea, while DR Congo’s upcoming fixtures have not been detailed in the available reports. The AFCON qualifying campaign will continue throughout the year, with each side seeking to build on early performances to secure the lone qualification place allocated to Group E.