AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: DR Congo coach Desabre reveals plan to unsettle Equatorial Guinea in opener

DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre has revealed plan to unsettle Equatorial Guinea in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations opener.

The Leopards will begin their qualifying campaign on Thursday, September 24, when they host Equatorial Guinea at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa.

The Leopards will be hoping to make a strong start in front of their home supporters as they launch their quest for a place at the 2027 continental showpiece.

Ahead of the opening fixture, DR Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre has provided insight into the team’s preparations, particularly the work being done to improve their attacking movements and organisation in possession.

The French coach believes his players have made encouraging progress in understanding their movements and positioning when they have the ball, with the technical team working to establish clear attacking principles.

Desabre also revealed that DR Congo have prepared a specific tactical plan aimed at causing problems for Equatorial Guinea and breaking down their defensive organisation.

“We’re trying to improve our attacking movements. We’re starting to be solid in terms of our principles and player rotation when we have the ball. We’re starting to be quite organised in this respect. We’ll have a plan to unsettle this Equatorial Guinea side,” Desabre said.

The Leopards will now look to translate that work on the training ground into a positive performance when the two sides meet in Kinshasa.

Playing at home gives DR Congo an opportunity to start their qualifying campaign with maximum points, although Equatorial Guinea will arrive determined to frustrate the hosts and take something from the encounter.

Desabre will be hoping his players can maintain their attacking discipline while also remaining patient as they look for openings against a side expected to defend with organisation.

The opening fixture is particularly important for the Leopards as they seek to build early momentum in their qualifying group. A positive result would give the team confidence ahead of their second match, when they travel to face Zimbabwe’s Warriors.

With their preparations now complete, DR Congo will be looking to make home advantage count and begin their road to AFCON 2027 with a convincing performance against Equatorial Guinea.