AFCON 2027 qualifiers: DR Congo make flying start as Mbemba, Wissa sink Equatorial Guinea

The Democratic Republic of Congo have made a perfect start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign after defeating Equatorial Guinea 2-0 in their Group E opener at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa.

The Leopards needed only four minutes to establish their authority, with captain Chancel Mbemba opening the scoring to give the home side an early advantage.

The victory gives Sébastien Desabre’s team three points from their opening fixture and places them at the top of Group E, while Equatorial Guinea were left to rue missed opportunities and defensive lapses.

Mbemba gives Leopards early advantage

DR Congo immediately took control of the contest, putting the visitors under pressure from the opening whistle.

Their fast start was rewarded in the fourth minute when Mbemba converted from an early set-piece situation to send the home crowd into celebration.

The goal forced Equatorial Guinea to alter their approach as they searched for a response. However, the hosts remained largely in control, using possession and sustained pressure to prevent the visitors from building dangerous attacks.

Equatorial Guinea struggled to keep the ball for extended periods, with DR Congo’s pressing disrupting their attempts to transition quickly.

The Leopards’ defensive organisation also ensured the visitors’ attacking players had little room to operate, allowing Desabre’s side to take their advantage into the break.

Wissa doubles lead after Equatorial Guinea push

Equatorial Guinea returned from half-time with greater attacking intent and looked to use the width of the pitch to stretch the Congolese defence.

The National Thunder enjoyed brief spells of pressure, but DR Congo remained composed and limited their opponents to few clear opportunities.

As Equatorial Guinea committed more players forward in search of an equaliser, gaps began to appear behind their defence.

DR Congo took advantage in the 72nd minute when Yoane Wissa doubled the lead with a composed finish after receiving a precise pass.

The second goal effectively ended Equatorial Guinea’s hopes of taking anything from the encounter and gave the Leopards greater freedom to manage the remainder of the match.

Leopards close out victory

Desabre’s side showed maturity in the closing stages, protecting their advantage while limiting Equatorial Guinea’s attempts to force their way back into the game.

The DR Congo coach made changes in the 89th minute, bringing on Fistone Mayele for Wissa and replacing Nathanaël Mbuku with Jocelyn Janneh Kadile.

Five minutes of additional time were added, but Equatorial Guinea failed to create the sustained pressure required to threaten the Leopards’ clean sheet.

The final whistle confirmed a convincing victory for DR Congo, who combined early attacking efficiency with defensive discipline to claim all three points.

The result provides Desabre’s team with an ideal platform in Group E, while Equatorial Guinea must regroup quickly and address their defensive shortcomings ahead of their next qualifying fixture.