DR Congo edge Zimbabwe to extend winning start in CAN 2027 qualifying

DR Congo made it two wins from two in the CAN 2027 qualifiers with a 2-1 victory away to Zimbabwe, while Burkina Faso moved top of Group F after beating the Central African Republic 1-0 on Monday.

The Leopards followed up their 2-0 home success against Equatorial Guinea on 24 September by claiming another three points at the National Sport Stadium in Harare.

Yoane Wissa, who also scored in the opening match, put DR Congo ahead after 30 minutes. The Newcastle forward reacted quickest after Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper dropped the ball in the penalty area, allowing him to finish into an unguarded net.

Wissa then turned provider in first-half injury time. After winning possession near the edge of his own penalty area, he carried the ball almost the length of the pitch before setting up Samuel Moutoussamy. The Atromitos midfielder completed the rapid counter-attack by beating Elvis Chipezeze in the 45th minute plus two minutes.

Zimbabwe pulled a goal back in the third minute of added time, but DR Congo held on for victory. The result leaves Sebastien Desabre’s side alone at the top of Group E, with Zimbabwe three points behind.

DR Congo will next face Uganda in a pair of friendly matches in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 2 and 5 October. The fixtures will give the team an opportunity to assess new players, with the established members of the squad set to be rested.

Burkina Faso also secured victory on Monday, beating the Central African Republic 1-0 at Casablanca’s Stade Larbi Zaouli in Morocco.

The decisive moment came in the 60th minute, when Aboubacar Camara scored only one minute after coming on as a substitute.

The Etalons had opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Benin on 25 September. Their win takes them to the top of Group F, although they still await the outcome of Benin’s match against Mauritania.

The result provides Herve Koffi and his team-mates with a measure of confidence ahead of their high-profile friendly against Argentina on 3 October. That match will be played in Buenos Aires, where Burkina Faso will face Lionel Messi’s side.