By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, PAV – The Democratic Republic of Congo maintained their perfect start to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifying campaign, beating Zimbabwe 2-1 in Harare on Monday, September 28.
The Leopards now have six points from two matches and top Group E as the race for places at next year’s finals in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania begins to take shape.
DR Congo took control of the contest with two first-half goals, with Yoane Wissa continuing his impressive scoring form for the national team. The forward opened the scoring in the 30th minute after Zimbabwe goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze failed to collect a cross. Wissa reacted quickly to the loose ball, turning it into the net to put the visitors ahead.
Wissa then turned provider as DR Congo doubled their advantage. The forward released Samuel Moutoussamy, who finished to score his first international goal. Moutoussamy’s goal was a significant milestone for the midfielder, who made his DR Congo debut in 2019 and has since accumulated more than 60 international appearances.
Zimbabwe refused to surrender and eventually found a way back into the match in stoppage time. Marshall Munetsi reduced the deficit by converting at the back post from a corner, scoring his third goal of the qualifying campaign.
The late goal gave Zimbabwe hope of a dramatic equaliser, but DR Congo held on to secure their second consecutive victory. The result leaves DR Congo with six points at the summit of Group E. Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea have three points each, while Sierra Leone remain without a point after two matches.
Meantime, Equatorial Guinea kept their qualification hopes alive with a narrow 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone in Yaoundé. Spanish-born forward Loren Zúñiga scored the decisive goal inside the opening minute, giving Equatorial Guinea an early advantage.
Sierra Leone responded strongly and enjoyed more possession as the match progressed, creating several opportunities in search of an equaliser. However, the Leone Stars were unable to find a way past the Equatorial Guinea defence, leaving them still without a point after their opening two matches.
Equatorial Guinea’s victory moves them onto three points and keeps them within touching distance of Group E leaders DR Congo.
