DR Congo target 12 points for direct CAN 2027 place

DR Congo have made direct qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations their stated target, with coach Sébastien Desabre setting a 12-point objective for the Leopards. The team began the campaign with a victory and now face Zimbabwe in their second Group E match.

Desabre outlined the ambition on September 27 in Harare, where he addressed the media before the meeting with Zimbabwe. He said the Leopards want to take maximum points from the campaign and will handle the fixtures one at a time. He also described winning all six matches as the team’s main objective.

The Leopards opened their qualifying run by defeating Equatorial Guinea 2-0 at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa on September 24. Captain Chancel Mbemba scored the opening goal, while Yoane Wissa added the second. That result gave DR Congo three points from their first match and an unbeaten start to the qualification campaign.

The Group E programme also includes Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe among DR Congo’s opponents. A second win would strengthen the Leopards’ early position as they pursue the direct qualification place targeted by Desabre.