TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: DR Congo extend perfect run as Guinea-Bissau and Zimbabwe held to draws

DR Congo strengthened their position at the top of Group E of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027 Qualifiers with an impressive 3-1 victory over Sierra Leone on Thursday, while Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe shared the points in a goalless draw.

Elsewhere, Madagascar held Group L leaders Guinea-Bissau to a 1-1 draw, denying the West Africans an opportunity to extend their perfect start to the qualifying campaign.

The results added further intrigue to the race for places at the continental finals, which will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027.

DR Congo 3-1 Sierra Leone: Leopards extend perfect qualifying record

DR Congo maintained their impressive start to the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027 Qualifiers with a 3-1 victory over Sierra Leone, securing a third successive win in Group E.

Yoane Wissa gave the Leopards a dream start, opening the scoring in the fourth minute after an assist from Nathanaël Mbuku.

Samuel Moutoussamy doubled the advantage in the 35th minute, putting the hosts firmly in control before the interval.

The Congolese continued to dominate after the break, with Edo Kayembe adding a third in the 58th minute following a pass from Arthur Masuaku.

Sierra Leone refused to surrender and pulled a goal back through substitute Stephen Bekoe in the 83rd minute, but the visitors could not mount a further comeback.

The result takes DR Congo to nine points from three matches, strengthening their position at the summit of Group E.

Sébastien Desabre's side will now travel to face Sierra Leone in the return encounter on 17 November, knowing another victory would move them closer to qualification.

Equatorial Guinea 0-0 Zimbabwe: Rivals share points in tight Group E battle

Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe played out a goalless draw in their TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027 Group E encounter on Thursday, with neither side able to find the breakthrough needed to strengthen their qualification prospects.

Both teams entered the match level on three points after their opening two fixtures, making the contest particularly important in the battle to keep pace with group leaders DR Congo.

However, a closely contested first half produced few decisive moments, with Zimbabwe's Kelvin Moyo receiving a yellow card in the 24th minute.

The second half brought further efforts from both teams to change the course of the match.

Zimbabwe's Andy Rinomhota was booked in the 55th minute, while both coaches introduced substitutes in an attempt to secure a breakthrough.

Despite the changes, neither side could find a winner.

The result leaves Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe on four points each after three matches, with both teams facing renewed pressure ahead of their return fixture in Zimbabwe on 16 November.

Madagascar 1-1 Guinea-Bissau: Late equaliser denies Group L leaders

Guinea-Bissau missed an opportunity to strengthen their position at the top of Group L after being held to a 1-1 draw by Madagascar in Thursday's TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027 qualifier.

The West Africans arrived with a perfect record of two victories from their opening two matches, but Madagascar proved difficult opponents in a closely contested encounter.

After a goalless first half, Warren Caddy broke the deadlock for Madagascar in the 59th minute, putting the island nation on course for an important victory.

The hosts attempted to protect their narrow advantage, making several substitutions as the visitors searched for an equaliser.

Guinea-Bissau eventually found a breakthrough in the 84th minute when Renato Nhaga restored parity, following an assist from Tombie Vieira.

The late goal denied Madagascar their first victory of the qualifying campaign and ensured Guinea-Bissau maintained their unbeaten record.

The draw moves Guinea-Bissau to seven points from three matches, keeping them in a strong position in Group L.

Both teams will meet again on 17 November, when Madagascar will seek to improve their qualification prospects.