Kinshasa, September 27th, 2026 (CPA).- Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will face off in a top-of-the-table Group E clash on Monday at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Matchday 2 of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, according to the schedule of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). According to the programme of the continental football governing body, consulted Sunday by CPA, kick-off for this encounter is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. local time and 5:00 p.m. Kinshasa time, capital of the DRC. Following the results of the opening round of Group E, the match between the Warriors and the Leopards will pit the two group leaders, both still unbeaten, against each other. The Zimbabweans lived up to their “Warriors” status by coming from two goals down to beat Sierra Leone 3-2 in Freetown. The Leopards, meanwhile, playing at home, recorded a 2-0 win over Equatorial Guinea, with goals from captain Chancel Mbemba in the 4th minute and Yoan Wissa in the 72nd minute. However, although both countries have three (3) points each, Zimbabwe (+1) are second while the DRC (+2) lead the group, on goal difference.
DRC-Zimbabwe (4-0), the last encounter in Egypt
In the football history of the two countries, the DRC Leopards recorded their biggest victory over the Zimbabwe Warriors during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. The DRC defeated Zimbabwe 4-0 on June 30th, 2019, the anniversary of the country’s independence, at the June 30 Stadium, in a Group A match. On that occasion, the DRC Leopards, coached by Jean Florent Ibenge, scored through Jonathan Bolingi (4th minute), Cédric Bakambu (34th and 65th minutes, the latter from a penalty), and Britt Assombalonga (78th minute). Overall, the two countries have met five times, with two wins for the DRC, one draw and two defeats. Seven years after their 2019 success, the Zimbabwe Warriors will face a DRC Leopards side well moulded under French coach Sébastien Desabre.
The Leopards in Harare
The Congolese Football Association (FECOFA) announced the arrival of the Leopards in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Saturday, ahead of their match against the country’s Warriors. “The Leopards settled in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Saturday evening, in preparation for the Matchday 2 fixture of the Pamoja 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers,” the Congolese football governing body said on its website. According to the source, the Congolese team was welcomed at the international airport and at the hotel by members of the Congolese diaspora. They held their official training session on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. at the National Stadium in Harare. On Sunday, during the traditional pre-match press conference, Leopards head coach and manager Sébastien Desabre expressed his ambition. He said he wanted to win in Zimbabwe, adding that he was targeting a clean sweep in this qualifying campaign. “We have a clear roadmap. We will approach the matches one after another. The objective is to collect these 12 points as quickly as possible,” he said.