AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Zimbabwe’s long-awaited homecoming sets up DR Congo showdown

Zimbabwe will play a competitive home match for the first time in five years when they welcome the Democratic Republic of Congo to Harare on Monday in a pivotal 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Group E clash marks the Warriors’ return to the 60,000-capacity National Sports Stadium after extensive renovations ended years of exile that forced them to stage “home” fixtures in neighbouring South Africa.

While Zimbabwe celebrate a long-awaited reunion with their supporters, they are far from alone in facing stadium challenges. Thirteen of the 48 teams competing in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers are currently unable to host matches on home soil.

Sudan remain unable to play in Khartoum because of civil war, while security concerns prevent Somalia from hosting opponents in Mogadishu. Another 11 countries, including 2022 AFCON champions Senegal, do not currently have stadiums that meet international standards.

Zimbabwe buoyed by dramatic comeback

The Warriors return home in confident mood after producing one of the standout results of the opening round of qualifiers.

Ramon Catala’s side overturned a two-goal deficit to beat Sierra Leone 3-2 away, handing the 65-year-old Spaniard a dream competitive debut as head coach.

Marshall Munetsi sparked the comeback with a 72nd-minute strike before his Wolverhampton Wanderers teammate Tawanda Chirewa levelled four minutes later.

Munetsi then completed the turnaround with another goal two minutes from the end of normal time to secure all three points.

The victory has given Zimbabwe momentum ahead of what could prove to be the decisive fixture in the battle for top spot.

DR Congo arrive as a transformed force

The visitors also opened their campaign with victory, beating Equatorial Guinea 2-0 in Kinshasa under French coach Sebastien Desabre.

Captain Chancel Mbemba put the Leopards ahead inside four minutes before Yoane Wissa added a second after the break.

DR Congo have undergone a remarkable transformation under Desabre after years of failing to fulfil their potential.

The coach guided the Leopards to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a 52-year absence from football’s biggest stage. At the tournament, they led England for 68 minutes in their last-32 encounter before Harry Kane’s second-half brace completed a comeback for the Three Lions.

Guinea-Bissau face Nigeria test

Elsewhere, Guinea-Bissau host three-time African champions Nigeria on Tuesday in the only other second-round qualifier between two teams who won their opening matches.

Nigeria’s 2-1 victory over Madagascar was expected, but Guinea-Bissau’s 2-0 away triumph over 2027 AFCON co-hosts Tanzania was one of the biggest surprises of matchday one.

Goals from Franculino Dju and Mama Baldé stunned Tanzania in Zanzibar City, despite the hosts arriving on the back of reaching the AFCON knockout stages for the first time earlier this year under Argentine coach Miguel Gamondi.

Guinea-Bissau had established themselves as regular finalists by qualifying for four consecutive AFCON tournaments from 2017, but they missed the most recent edition in Morocco and won only two of their 10 qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Nigeria, meanwhile, were forced to come from behind against Madagascar in Uyo, with debutants George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor scoring in the absence of injured star striker Victor Osimhen.

With Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the finals as co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda, only one of Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar can secure the remaining qualifying spot from Group L, making Tuesday’s meeting an early heavyweight encounter.