DR Congo vs Equatorial Guinea AFCON Qualifier Preview
DR Congo host Equatorial Guinea in their opening Group E fixture in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Leopards are coming off a fine FIFA World Cup showing and will be confident of getting past their visitors, who have been out of sorts lately.
Key Stats
- DR Congo are unbeaten in six of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Equatorial Guinea are winless in six of their last eight matches in all competitions.
- Equatorial Guinea have lost five of their last eight matches in all competitions.
Evenly Matched Rivals
DR Congo and Equatorial Guinea have picked up one win each from three previous matches. The most recent meeting between both teams was at the third-place match of the 2015 AFCON, with the Leopards winning on penalties following a 0-0 draw in regulation time.
DR Congo Brimming with Confidence
DR Congo have enjoyed a great year so far as they earned a return to the World Cup after 52 years. They had a good showing at the tournament and reached the knockout stage before suffering a 2-1 defeat to England.
The Leopards have become regulars at the AFCON, qualifying for six of the last seven tournaments. Sebastien Desabre’s team finished top of their group in the qualifiers in the previous edition and will be targeting a similar campaign this time around.
DR Congo’s overall form has been solid lately, and they are unbeaten in six of their last 10 matches in all competitions. Among their results in this run is a 3-0 victory over Botswana, while they also claimed a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan during the World Cup.
Equatorial Guinea Targeting Solid Start
Equatorial Guinea have also become consistent participants at the AFCON, qualifying for the last three editions. They finished second in their group in the previous qualifiers but lost all three matches at the tournament.
Things have not been particularly smooth for Equatorial Guinea, who have struggled to find their best form lately. Vincenzo Annese’s team have lost five of their last eight matches in all competitions.
Equatorial Guinea’s last outing was a friendly with Comoros back in June. Nzalang Nacional suffered a 1-0 defeat to The Coelcanths.
Team News & Predicted Line-ups
DR Congo (4-3-3): Dimitry Bertaud; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chencel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku; Samuel Moutiussamy, Noah Sadiki, Edo Kayembe; Meschak Elia, Fitson Mayele, Yoane Wissa.
DR Congo have not called up goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi and forward Cedric Bakambu for this round of matches. Dimitry Bertaud should start between the sticks while Yoane Wissa is set to feature in attack alongside Fitson Mayele.
Equatorial Guinea (4-2-3-1): Jesus Owono; Basilo Ndong, Esteban Obiang, Saul Coco, Roni Mbomio; Omar Mascarell, Alex Balboa; Luis Nlavo, Santiago Eneme, Loren Zuniga; Jose Nabil Ondo.
As always, Jesus Owono should start in goal for Equatorial Guinea, with Esteban Obiang and Saul Coco lining up in defence. Oma Mascarell is set to feature in midfield while Jose Nabil Ondo is expected to lead the line.