DR Congo favourites to extend perfect start against Sierra Leone in CAN 2027 qualifying

The Democratic Republic of the Congo will look to maintain its winning record in the CAN 2027 qualifiers when it faces Sierra Leone at the Stade des Martyrs de Kinshasa on Thursday, 12 November 2026.

The match is the third round of Group E, with Congolese journalist and sports analyst Emery Kabongo backing the Leopards to take another important step towards strengthening their position.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has won both of its opening qualifying matches, beating Equatorial Guinea 2-0 before overcoming Zimbabwe 2-1. However, its most recent outings were less convincing, with the Leopards drawing 1-1 and losing 2-0 against Uganda in two friendly matches.

Sierra Leone has made a more difficult start to the campaign. It lost 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea and then suffered a 3-2 defeat by Zimbabwe in the first two rounds of the CAN 2027 qualifiers.

On paper, the home side has the stronger squad and greater international experience. Sierra Leone could nevertheless cause problems if it remains organised defensively and makes effective use of counter-attacking opportunities.

Previous meetings

The two countries have faced one another only a limited number of times in recent years. Their most recently documented meeting came in a friendly on 27 September 2022, when the Democratic Republic of the Congo won 3-0.

The sides had also met twice in 2014 during qualifying for the CAN 2015. The Leopards won both matches, claiming a 2-0 victory in the first leg and a 3-1 success in the return fixture.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo scored four goals in its first two qualifying games, an average of two per match. Sierra Leone has conceded four goals across its opening two fixtures, while the Leopards’ most recent win over their opponents came by a 3-0 scoreline.

Prediction and betting options

The available statistics point towards another home victory. A particularly strong defensive performance will be required from Sierra Leone if it is to avoid defeat.

The suggested first-half bet is a Democratic Republic of the Congo win, priced at 1.71. The Leopards are also considered capable of scoring more than once before half-time, with odds of 2.18.

The main recommended correct-score prediction is a 3-0 victory for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, offered at odds of 7. The home advantage, the perceived difference in squad quality and Sierra Leone’s two defeats in qualifying all support the possibility of a clean-sheet win.

For corners, the recommendation is fewer than nine, priced at 1.62. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s last 10 matches have produced an average of 6.6 corners per game. Five of those matches went beyond 7.5 corners but did not reach eight.

Other listed prices are 1.86 for the Democratic Republic of the Congo to score more than two goals, 1.25 for more than 2.5 total goals and 1.006 on the double chance for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

On 1xBet, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is priced at 1.24 to win, with Sierra Leone at 11.8 and the draw at 5.3. The prediction refers to the CAN 2027 qualifying match on 12 November 2027. Odds may change.