Wissa Inspires DR Congo as Tunisia Stumble Again in AFCON Qualifying

Yoane Wissa delivered another decisive performance for the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Monday, scoring one goal and setting up another as his side defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier played in Harare. The result marked a disappointing return to home soil for Zimbabwe, who had not hosted an international fixture in nearly five years due to stadium renovations.

The Newcastle United striker opened the scoring in the 30th minute, capitalizing on a costly error by Zimbabwe goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze. The shot-stopper failed to hold onto a cross, and Wissa reacted quickest to poke the loose ball into the net. It was the kind of opportunistic finish that has become emblematic of the 30-year-old's recent form for both club and country.

The visitors doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time when Wissa turned provider, threading a precise pass through to Samuel Moutoussamy, who made no mistake with the finish. The goal capped a dominant opening period for the Congolese, who controlled possession and created the more meaningful chances against a Zimbabwe side ranked 89 places below them in the FIFA world rankings.

The second half told a different story. Zimbabwe emerged from the interval with renewed purpose and urgency, pressing higher up the pitch and asking questions of the Congolese defense. Their persistence was rewarded deep into stoppage time when Marshall Munetsi found the net in the 93rd minute, though the goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation for the hosts.

For Zimbabwe, the match represented a significant occasion beyond the scoreline. The national team had been forced to play its home fixtures abroad since November 2021, when the Harare venue was deemed unsuitable for international competition. The lengthy renovation process finally concluded, allowing Zimbabwean supporters to witness their team compete on home soil once again. The emotional weight of that return, however, was tempered by the result.

DR Congo's campaign has been nothing short of impressive. The victory followed a 2-0 home win over Equatorial Guinea in their opening qualifier, giving them a maximum six points from two matches and sole possession of top spot in Group E. The team's recent trajectory has been remarkable, culminating in a historic last-32 finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a run that captured the imagination of Congolese supporters worldwide.

The two-time AFCON champions, whose last continental title came 52 years ago, appear determined to end that drought. With Wissa leading the line and a supporting cast that includes the likes of Moutoussamy, the Congolese have established themselves as early favorites to progress from a group that also features Tunisia, Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe.

Elsewhere in the group, Equatorial Guinea secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone in a match played in Yaounde, Cameroon's capital. Loren Zuniga scored the only goal of the contest within the first minute, catching the Sierra Leone defense off guard and setting the tone for a disciplined defensive performance thereafter. The result keeps Equatorial Guinea level on three points with Zimbabwe, who they will face twice in November in what promises to be a decisive pair of fixtures.

Equatorial Guinea are among 11 of the 48 qualifying teams required to host their home matches at neutral venues due to insufficient stadium infrastructure that meets international standards. The Central African Republic find themselves in the same predicament, falling 1-0 to Burkina Faso in Group F action staged in Casablanca, Morocco. Aboubacar Camara scored the winner in the second half, condemning the Central Africans to defeat in a match they would have preferred to play on home ground.

The most surprising result of the matchday came in Rades, near Tunis, where Tunisia were held to a 2-2 draw by Botswana. It was the second time in four days that the North African side had dropped points at home, raising questions about their form and tactical approach under current management. Tunisia appeared to have taken control when Hazem Mastouri scored on either side of halftime, overturning an early deficit after Botswana had taken a shock lead.

However, Botswana refused to fold. The Southern African nation, ranked 90 places below Tunisia in the global standings, found an equalizer on the hour mark through a delicate lob from substitute Lebogang Ditsele. The goal stunned the home crowd and extended Botswana's unbeaten start to the qualifying campaign, following their 2-2 draw against Libya the previous week.

Botswana now sit atop Group H on goals scored, level on points with Tunisia but ahead on the tiebreaker. For a nation with limited footballing pedigree on the continental stage, their performance against one of Africa's traditional powers represents a significant statement of intent. Tunisia, meanwhile, will need to address their defensive frailties and inability to close out matches if they hope to secure qualification without further drama.

The contrast between DR Congo's commanding start and Tunisia's struggles highlights the unpredictable nature of AFCON qualifying, where rankings and reputations often mean little once the whistle blows. With several rounds of matches still to play and November's fixtures looming large, the path to the 2027 tournament in East Africa remains wide open for teams willing to seize their opportunities.

For Zimbabwe, the return to Harare provides a foundation to build upon despite the defeat. The infrastructure improvements signal a commitment to hosting international football, and the experience of playing in front of home supporters could prove invaluable as the campaign progresses. The November double-header against Equatorial Guinea will likely determine whether Zimbabwe's homecoming becomes a springboard or merely a footnote in a difficult qualifying journey.

DR Congo, on the other hand, will look to maintain their momentum and extend their perfect record. With Wissa in such prolific form and the team riding the wave of their World Cup success, the Congolese have every reason to believe that a third AFCON crown, and their first in over five decades, is within reach.