Kinshasa, November 15th, 2026 (CPA).- The clash between Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on Match day 4 of Group E of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has been scheduled for Tuesday in Casablanca, Morocco, the host nation, which is regarded as a lucky ground for the Leopards, given their two recent victories in the Kingdom of Morocco.
According to statistics from DRC’s Leopards’ last two crucial matches in Morocco – chosen by the Confederation of African Football as the host venue for the continental play-offs for the 2026 World Cup, jointly organised by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11th to July 19th, this North African country has proved to be a lucky ground for DRC, which has returned home having secured a place in the intercontinental play-offs.
Morocco to host the African play-offs for the 2026 World CupCameroon and Nigeria, victims of DRC’s success, are the two most recent examples of the Leopards’ devastating form. To put it plainly, on the last two occasions the Leopards have played away from home, just like their opponents, they have gone straight through to the continental play-offs in November 2025 in Morocco.
On that occasion in November 2025, the Leopards – then ranked 60th in the FIFA rankings and by no means favourites to secure a qualifying place – went into the tournament as sacrificial lambs in a group where Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions (54th) were likely to advance, perhaps before facing Nigeria’s Super Eagles (41st), opponents of Gabon’s Panthers (77th).
On November 13th, in Rabat, in the semi-final, DRC has surprised Cameroon with a 1–0 victory, sending them packing for an immediate return home.
This was the first pleasant surprise for the Congolese. On the same day, in the other semi-final, Nigeria has been ruthless against Gabon, beating them 4–1 to qualify for the final.
On the 16th of the same month, in the final to decide Africa’s representative for the intercontinental play-offs in Mexico, DRC found themselves 0–1 down to Nigeria, who had opened the scoring through Frank Onyeka (3rd minute), before the Leopards equalised through Meschack Elia (32nd minute).
It was via a 4–3 penalty shoot-out that DRC has secured their place in Mexico. What followed, as everyone knows, saw the Leopards defeat Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz 1–0.
Jamaica, the home of reggae, were swept aside by the Leopards to the tune of the national rumba, to the frenzied rhythm of ‘Fimbu’ – a slogan with no expiry date, honouring DRC’s Leopards – thanks to a solitary goal from Axel Tuanzebe.
Sierra Leone following in the footsteps of Cameroon and NigeriaAs if by misfortune, lacking an approved national stadium, Sierra Leone – like DRC – has been forced to play away from its home ground and has chosen Morocco as its home base; as mentioned above, Morocco has in the recent past been described as ‘a blessed land’ for the national team of that giant country at the heart of Africa.
As such, whilst not wishing to downplay the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone, the Leopards have a clear opportunity to inflict upon their West African opponents the same fate that befell Cameroon and Nigeria last November, in the final leg of the journey to Mexico – the final gateway to the 2026 World Cup campaign in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Similarly, a much-hoped-for victory for DRC over Sierra Leone would see them finish top of Group E with 12 points from four matches, securing their place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place from June 19th to July 17th in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, pending the final two matches against Zimbabwe in Kinshasa and against Equatorial Guinea, most likely in Cameroon. ACP/