AFCON 2027 qualifiers: DR Congo make it two wins from two as Wissa punishes Zimbabwe on home return

Yoane Wissa scored one goal and created another as the Democratic Republic of Congo spoiled Zimbabwe’s long-awaited return to playing international football at home with a 2-1 victory in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Harare.

The Newcastle United striker opened the scoring after 30 minutes before setting up Samuel Moutoussamy to double DR Congo’s advantage in first-half stoppage time.

Zimbabwe improved after the break and Marshall Munetsi pulled one back in the 93rd minute, but DR Congo held on to make it two wins from two in Group E.

Wissa puts DR Congo in control

Wissa broke the deadlock when he reacted quickest after Zimbabwe goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze failed to hold a cross, poking the loose ball into the net.

The 30-year-old could have added to his tally before the interval, but one effort narrowly missed the target and another struck the woodwork shortly after the hour mark.

DR Congo doubled their lead in added time at the end of the first half when Wissa’s pass released Moutoussamy, who kept his composure to score from inside the penalty area.

The result underlined DR Congo’s strong start to their qualifying campaign after they opened with a 2-0 home victory over Equatorial Guinea.

Zimbabwe celebrate return despite defeat

Zimbabwe struggled to match a DR Congo side ranked 89 places higher in the world during the first half, but they responded strongly after the break.

Munetsi gave the home supporters something to celebrate when he scored in the third minute of added time.

It was the Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder’s third goal in two matches after he scored twice in Zimbabwe’s dramatic 3-2 away victory over Sierra Leone last week.

The match also marked Zimbabwe’s return to home international football after almost five years.

The Warriors had not played at the 60,000-capacity National Sports Stadium since November 2021 after the venue was deemed unsuitable for international matches and underwent lengthy renovations, including work on the pitch.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa was among the spectators in Harare as Zimbabwe made their long-awaited homecoming.

DR Congo lead Group E

DR Congo now sit top of Group E with six points from two matches.

Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea have three points each, while Sierra Leone remain without a point.

Equatorial Guinea also recorded a 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone in Yaounde, with Loren Zuniga scoring in the first minute.

The match was played in Cameroon because Equatorial Guinea are among 11 teams in the 48-team qualifying competition without an international-standard stadium and therefore required to play their home fixtures at neutral venues.

Central African Republic are another team facing the same issue and they suffered a 1-0 defeat by Burkina Faso in Group F in Casablanca, Morocco, with Aboubacar Camara scoring the second-half winner.

DR Congo, who last won the Africa Cup of Nations 52 years ago, will now look to maintain their perfect start as they pursue qualification for the 2027 tournament.