DR Congo and Equatorial Guinea begin AFCON 2027 qualifiers
Opening duel at Stade des Martyrs marks the first step toward qualification
On Thursday (24), the Democratic Republic of Congo opens its campaign in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea. The match, scheduled for 5:00 PM (local time) at the Stade des Martyrs, generates great interest because it decides the first points in a group with no automatic berths yet.
What is at stake in the group opener
The duel is part of the qualifying phase that will determine the participants for the 2027 continental competition. Each match carries significant weight in defining the qualifiers, especially in balanced groups where no team has a guaranteed spot.
Profile of the Congolese team
Coached by Sébastien Desabre, the DR Congo national team enters the clash after a historically notable campaign at the 2026 World Cup, featuring a draw against Portugal, a defeat to Colombia, a win over Uzbekistan, and elimination against England. Desabre states that the match will be “completely different” from what the team showed at the World Cup and highlights the need to win the opener.
Equatorial Guinea's expectations
Led by Vincenzo Alberto Annese, Equatorial Guinea aims to start the campaign in a competitive position. Known for its defensive solidity, the team intends to improve its offensive performance to secure a positive result away from home.
Refereeing and broadcast
Nigerian referee Joseph Odey Ogabor has been appointed to officiate the match in Kinshasa, representing yet another international experience in qualification matches. International broadcasting will be handled by beIN SPORTS, with coverage beginning at 11:50 AM (US Eastern time) and 8:50 AM (Pacific time).
Upcoming group fixtures
Following the opener, Equatorial Guinea hosts Sierra Leone on September 28, while Zimbabwe faces DR Congo. The short interval between the two rounds increases the importance of a good result right in the first match, as it can reshuffle group expectations before the upcoming fixtures.
With information from ncnews.com.br, SpaceMoney.
Source: ncnews.com.br, SpaceMoney