Zimbabwe vs DR Congo: Kick-off time and channel for AFCON 2027 qualifier

DR Congo will face Zimbabwe on Monday looking to make it two wins from two in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after their convincing opening victory over Equatorial Guinea.

The Leopards began their Group E campaign with a 2-0 win in Kinshasa last Thursday, putting them at the top of the group on goal difference.

They now travel to Harare to face a Zimbabwe side that also won its opening qualifier.

Chancel Mbemba gave DR Congo an early lead against Equatorial Guinea when he scored in the fourth minute, before Yoane Wissa doubled the advantage in the 72nd minute.

Sébastien Desabre’s side will be aiming to maintain their perfect start and move clear at the top of Group E with another victory.

What time is Zimbabwe vs DR Congo?

The match will be played at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.

Kick-off is scheduled for 6pm Paris time, which is also the time in Lubumbashi.

The match will begin at 5pm in Kinshasa.

Which channel will show the match?

The Zimbabwe versus DR Congo qualifier will be broadcast live on beIN Sports 1 in France.

The match is also likely to be shown on RTNC in DR Congo.

DR Congo targeting top spot

DR Congo currently occupy first place in Group E after their opening victory, with their goal difference putting them above Zimbabwe.

The Warriors also started their campaign with three points after producing a comeback win against Sierra Leone.

Zimbabwe found themselves 2-0 down after 27 minutes in El Jadida, Morocco, but turned the match around to win 3-2.

Marshall Munetsi scored twice for the Warriors, while Tawanda Chirewa also found the net to complete the comeback.

The result has given Ramón Catalá’s side confidence ahead of their meeting with DR Congo.

Leopards looking to pull clear

A win for DR Congo would give them three points more than their closest rivals and strengthen their position at the top of the group.

The Leopards would then turn their attention to two friendly matches against Uganda, scheduled for October 2 and October 5.

The Zimbabwe match therefore gives Desabre and his players an opportunity to build on their impressive opening performance before those fixtures.

DR Congo hold recent head-to-head advantage

Monday’s match will be the sixth meeting between the two sides.

Before the latest encounter, DR Congo’s record against Zimbabwe stood at two wins, one draw and two defeats.

Their most recent meeting came at the Africa Cup of Nations on June 30, 2019, in Cairo, Egypt.

DR Congo won that match 4-0 under coach Florent Ibengé.

Cédric Bakambu, who is absent from the current squad by mutual agreement with coach Desabre, scored twice in that emphatic victory.

The Leopards will now attempt to repeat that success in Harare and strengthen their position at the top of Group E.

With both teams having won their opening qualifiers, Monday’s meeting could prove important in the early race for first place in the group.