2027 AFCON qualifiers: 18,000 fans allowed for DR Congo vs Equatorial Guinea

Supporters will be permitted to attend Thursday’s 2027 AFCON qualifier in Kinshasa

DR Congo supporters will be allowed to attend Thursday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Equatorial Guinea at the Martyrs Stadium, with FECOFA president Véron Mosengo confirming that only a limited number of fans will be admitted.

The decision means the Leopards will not play the fixture behind closed doors, as had previously been expected because of the stadium’s approval situation.

Current reporting says CAF has authorised a restricted attendance for the match.

According to the information provided by FECOFA, the number of tickets available for the match will be limited to 18,000.

The decision is expected to give supporters an opportunity to be inside the stadium and back the national team as DR Congo begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

Limited number of tickets available

The decision to allow supporters into the stadium comes with strict limits.

Only 18,000 tickets will be made available, meaning the number of people permitted inside the venue will be significantly restricted.

FECOFA is yet to provide the final details on where supporters will be able to obtain the tickets.

Mosengo indicated that the practical arrangements for distributing the tickets were still being finalised, with further adjustments expected as organisers prepare for the fixture.

The limited allocation means supporters will have to pay close attention to the official arrangements once they are announced.

For fans hoping to watch the Leopards from inside the stadium, the availability of tickets will therefore be an important part of the preparations for Thursday’s match.

Mosengo urges supporters to act responsibly

While the decision to permit spectators has been welcomed, Mosengo has also appealed to supporters to exercise discipline around the stadium.

The FECOFA president is aware of the security concerns surrounding the fixture and has urged fans who do not have tickets not to travel to the stadium.

His message is aimed at preventing unnecessary crowds from gathering outside the venue.

Supporters without tickets have been encouraged to remain at home and follow the match on television rather than creating congestion around the Martyrs Stadium.

The appeal comes as organisers work to ensure that the limited-attendance arrangement can be managed safely.

Leopards prepare for Equatorial Guinea

The match against Equatorial Guinea will be DR Congo’s first fixture in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

The encounter is scheduled to take place at the Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa on Thursday.

For the Leopards, the return of supporters, even in limited numbers, provides an opportunity for fans to be present as the national team begins its qualification campaign.

The attendance restriction means that only a fraction of the stadium’s potential crowd will be able to watch the game from inside the ground.

FECOFA must therefore ensure that the ticketing arrangements are communicated clearly before kick-off.

The federation’s appeal to supporters without tickets is also intended to prevent large gatherings outside the stadium.

With the match only days away, the immediate focus remains on finalising the ticket arrangements and ensuring that the fixture takes place in a controlled environment.

For those who secure tickets, the match will provide an opportunity to support the Leopards from the stands.

For everyone else, Mosengo’s message is clear: supporters without tickets should stay away from the stadium and watch the match elsewhere.