DR Congo can take a major step towards Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualification when they host Sierra Leone in Group E at Stade des Martyrs on Thursday, 12 November 2026.
Sebastien Desabre’s side have won both of their opening matches and sit three points clear at the top of the group. Sierra Leone, by contrast, are still searching for their first point and begin this double-header in last place.
DR Congo began their campaign with victories over Equatorial Guinea, 2-0, and Zimbabwe, 2-1, in September. Those results followed an honourable World Cup campaign that ended with a round-of-16 defeat by England. The two wins have also strengthened their position as the highest-ranked nation in the group and the leading contenders to qualify.
The Leopards’ progress was checked in October, when they played two friendlies against Uganda in Johannesburg. They lost the first 2-0 before drawing the second 1-1 three days later.
They will now attempt to revive the momentum of their previous qualifying campaign, when they won their first four matches. DR Congo have also beaten Sierra Leone in their past three meetings, including both games in the 2015 qualifying contest.
Victory in Kinshasa would give the hosts three successive competitive wins for the first time since December. It would also put further pressure on Sierra Leone before the teams meet again in El Jadida next Tuesday.
Sierra Leone appointed Didier Gomes Da Rosa in June, but his reign has begun with two defeats. In his first match, the Leone Stars surrendered a two-goal lead before losing 3-2 to Zimbabwe. That result made it three defeats in a row for Sierra Leone.
They are trying to avoid four consecutive losses in all competitions for the first time since June 2015, a run which included a 3-1 defeat by DR Congo.
Sierra Leone have not reached the Africa Cup of Nations finals since 2021, while their most recent competitive victory came against Djibouti in October 2025. Their hopes of ending that wait are fading, and a disciplined performance across the next two matches will be needed to keep their qualification prospects alive.
DR Congo have scored first in four of their past five matches, making the opening stages particularly important for the visitors.
Lionel Mpasi-Nzau remains unavailable with an Achilles tendon injury, so Matthieu Epolo is expected to continue in goal. Aston Villa right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also injured, leaving Gedeon Kalulu likely to retain his place on the right. Captain Chancel Mbemba is approaching his 120th international appearance and continues to extend his record for DR Congo.
Sierra Leone have called up Malachi Jones, despite his one goal in 27 appearances this season, and he could make his international debut. At 31, Sallieu Tarawallie is the visitors’ main threat after contributing directly to three goals in his past four appearances for the national team.
DR Congo’s form in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying is V V, compared with Sierra Leone’s D D. In all competitions, DR Congo are V D V V D N and Sierra Leone are V D V D D D.
With home advantage and Sierra Leone struggling for confidence, DR Congo are expected to win 2-0.