DR Congo beat Sierra Leone to maintain perfect CAN 2027 qualifying record

DR Congo made it three wins from three in the CAN 2027 qualifiers by beating Sierra Leone 3-1 at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa.

The result gave the Leopards victory in the first match of their double-header against Sierra Leone and strengthened their position at the top of Group E.

Yoane Wissa opened the scoring after only three minutes. Chosen to lead the attack ahead of returning forward Cedric Bakambu, who remained on the bench, the Newcastle striker met a cross from Nathanael Mbuku at the far post and finished from close range.

It was Wissa’s third consecutive match for DR Congo in which he has scored. During the previous international window, the former Brentford player found the net once against Equatorial Guinea before scoring against Zimbabwe in the opening two rounds of qualifying.

Wissa then turned provider in the 35th minute. After receiving the ball near the edge of the penalty area, Samuel Moutoussamy went past his marker before curling a shot into the top-left corner of Ibrahim Sesay’s goal.

The Atromitos midfielder had now scored in each of his past two appearances for the Leopards.

DR Congo extended their advantage 13 minutes after half-time. Arthur Masuaku supplied the assist for Edo Kayembe, who finished to put his side 3-0 ahead in the 58th minute. Sierra Leone pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute, but DR Congo held on for a comfortable victory.

Sebastien Desabre’s side now lead Group E by five points from Zimbabwe, who drew 0-0 away to Equatorial Guinea.

DR Congo could secure their place at CAN 2027 as early as Tuesday if they win the fourth-round meeting in Casablanca, Morocco. That outcome would also require Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea to draw again.

The match also saw the international debut of Noah Mbamba, who came on for the final 23 minutes. The Lorient midfielder replaced Moutoussamy in the 67th minute after the latter went off injured.

Moutoussamy’s injury was the only setback for the Leopards on an otherwise positive evening.