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Yoane Wissa continued his rich vein of form on Monday, scoring one goal and setting up another as the Democratic Republic of the Congo defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 in Harare to maintain a perfect start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The Newcastle United forward, who played a prominent role in DR Congo's historic run to the last 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, opened the scoring in the 30th minute. Goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze failed to hold onto a cross, and Wissa reacted quickest to poke the loose ball into the net, punishing the Zimbabwean shot-stopper for a costly error.
The visitors doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time when Wissa turned provider, threading a pass through for Samuel Moutoussamy, who made no mistake with his finish. The goal capped a dominant opening period for the Congolese, who controlled proceedings against a Zimbabwe side ranked 89 places below them in the FIFA world rankings.
The second half told a different story, however. Zimbabwe emerged from the interval with renewed purpose and carried far more threat going forward. Their persistence was eventually rewarded deep into stoppage time when Marshall Munetsi pulled a goal back in the 93rd minute, though it proved too little too late for the home side.
The match marked a significant occasion for Zimbabwean football, as it was the national team's first home fixture since November 2021. The Harare venue had been declared unsuitable for international matches, forcing Zimbabwe to play their home games abroad while extensive renovations were carried out over a lengthy period.
For DR Congo, the victory represents their second consecutive win in Group E, following a 2-0 home triumph over Equatorial Guinea in their opening fixture. With six points from two matches, they sit comfortably at the top of the group standings. The two-time AFCON champions, whose most recent continental title came 52 years ago, appear determined to end that long wait.
Zimbabwe's defeat leaves them level on three points with Equatorial Guinea, and the two nations are scheduled to meet twice in November in what will likely prove a decisive double-header in the race for qualification. Sierra Leone, meanwhile, remain without a point after two matches.
Equatorial Guinea secured their first win of the campaign earlier on Monday, defeating Sierra Leone 1-0 in Yaounde, Cameroon. Loren Zuniga's goal inside the opening minute proved to be the difference between the two sides, giving Equatorial Guinea an early cushion they defended for the remainder of the contest.
Equatorial Guinea are one of 11 teams among the 48 group-stage qualifiers who are required to host their home matches at neutral venues because they do not possess a stadium meeting international standards. The arrangement adds a layer of logistical complexity to their qualifying campaign, though the victory in Yaounde demonstrated they are capable of adapting to the circumstances.
The Central African Republic face a similar predicament and fell to a 1-0 defeat against Burkina Faso in Group F. The match was played in Casablanca, Morocco, with Aboubacar Camara scoring the winner in the second half. Like Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic must stage their home fixtures away from home due to stadium inadequacies, a recurring challenge for several African footballing nations.
In Group H, Tunisia's troubled qualifying campaign continued as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Botswana in Rades, near Tunis. It was the second time in four days that Tunisia had been forced to settle for a share of the points on home soil, raising serious questions about their form and prospects.
Tunisia appeared on course for their first competitive victory of the year when Hazem Mastouri scored on either side of half-time, overturning an early deficit after Botswana had taken a surprise lead. The home supporters would have expected their team to see out the result against opponents ranked 90 places below them.
Botswana had other ideas. On the hour mark, substitute Lebogang Ditsele produced a delicate lob that restored parity and silenced the home crowd. The equaliser encapsulated Botswana's resilience and tactical discipline throughout the encounter.
The result leaves Botswana top of Group H on goals scored, ahead of Tunisia, following their second successive 2-2 draw. They had shared the points with Libya last week, and their ability to pick up results away from home has positioned them surprisingly well in the group.
For Tunisia, a nation with a proud AFCON pedigree and regular appearances at the World Cup, the dropped points represent a significant setback. Being held at home twice in quick succession will intensify scrutiny on the team's management and playing staff as they seek to rediscover the form that has historically made them one of Africa's most consistent sides.
The contrasting fortunes of DR Congo and Tunisia illustrate the unpredictable nature of AFCON qualifying, where ranking disparities often count for little once the whistle blows. With several rounds of fixtures still to come, the path to the 2027 tournament in East Africa remains wide open for teams across the continent.
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