AFCON 2027 (Q): DR Congo wins again, Tunisia held once more

The qualifiers for AFCON 2027 continue with the matches of the second round. Monday evening notably allowed DR Congo to confirm its excellent start in Group E, while several teams are still searching for their first victory.

DRC confirms its good start

After its victory over Equatorial Guinea in the first round, DR Congo maintained its momentum by winning at the National Sports Stadium in Harare against Zimbabwe (2-1). The Leopards quickly took control of the game and were rewarded in the 30th minute. Yoane Wissa took advantage of a missed clearance by Zimbabwean goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze to open the scoring. The Congolese striker then turned provider in first-half stoppage time, allowing Samuel Moutoussamy to double the lead. Zimbabwe tried to get back in the game after the break, but the side managed by Sébastien Desabre largely kept things in control. Wissa even hit the post in the 62nd minute. Marshall Munetsi eventually pulled one back in stoppage time (90+3), but it wasn't enough to stop the Leopards from holding on to their lead. With six points from two matches, DR Congo thus delivers a perfect record and sits solidly atop its group.

Equatorial Guinea bounces back, Burkina Faso advances

Beaten by DR Congo in the first round, Equatorial Guinea needed to react. Nzalang Nacional did so by dominating Sierra Leone (1-0) on Monday in Yaoundé. Loren Zúñiga Owono scored the only goal of the match in the very first minute. Equatorial Guinea then withstood Sierra Leone's attempts and held onto their slim advantage until the final whistle. This win puts the Equatoguineans back on track in a Group E where DR Congo has already taken a significant lead.

In Group F, Burkina Faso also made good progress by defeating the Central African Republic 1-0 in Casablanca. After a goalless first half, Aboubacar Sidiki Camara delivered for the Stallions in the 60th minute. The men of Amir Abdou thus raise their total to four points and temporarily occupy the top spot in Group F, pending the outcome of Tuesday's match between Benin and Mauritania.

Tunisia held again

Tunisia will have to wait even longer before clinching its first win in these qualifiers. After drawing against Uganda in the first round, they were again held at home by Botswana (2-2). The Carthage Eagles nevertheless had several chances to fully take control of the match. Botswana opened the scoring through Thatayaone Kgamanyane in the 37th minute, before Hazem Mastouri equalized just before the break. Mastouri then gave Tunisia the lead four minutes after the restart. But the Tunisians failed to hold onto their advantage. Lebogang Ditsele brought the teams level again in the 60th minute.

Tunisia then pushed to regain the lead but couldn't find the breakthrough for a third goal. With two draws from as many outings, the Carthage Eagles now have two points and are still awaiting their first win of the campaign.