DR Congo begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Equatorial Guinea at the Stade des Martyrs on Thursday, less than two months after their historic World Cup run.
However, it remains unclear whether the match will be played behind closed doors, with a reduced attendance or in front of the 80,000 supporters requested by DR Congo. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has yet to announce its decision after the late homologation of the Stade des Martyrs.
The two teams are in Group E. After Thursday’s opener, DR Congo travel to Zimbabwe on 28 September, while Equatorial Guinea host Sierra Leone on the same day.
DR Congo reached the last 16 at the 2026 World Cup, 52 years after their only previous appearance. Sebastien Desabre’s side collected their first World Cup point in a 1-1 draw with Portugal, recorded their first win by beating Uzbekistan 3-1 and led England for more than an hour before Harry Kane’s late double secured a 2-1 victory for the Three Lions.
This will be DR Congo’s first match against an African opponent since their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 defeat by Algeria in January, when they lost 1-0 after extra time. They have won six of their past eight competitive home matches across the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and 2026 World Cup qualifiers, although defeats by Senegal and Ethiopia underline the need for caution.
Equatorial Guinea arrive in poorer form. The Nzalang Nacional lost all three of their Africa Cup of Nations group matches against Burkina Faso, Sudan and Algeria and have gone six competitive games without a victory, including five defeats.
They did qualify for the previous Africa Cup of Nations despite losing two of their three away qualifiers, finishing second behind Algeria and ahead of Togo and Liberia. In recent friendlies, they beat Kyrgyzstan 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Madagascar in March before losing 1-0 to Comoros in June.
The head-to-head record is level, with one win apiece and one draw. That draw came in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations third-place play-off, which DR Congo won 4-2 on penalties after a goalless match. It remains the teams’ most recent meeting.
Desabre has used the international break to experiment, selecting 14 new players across separate squads for the two qualifiers and two October friendlies against Uganda. Kevin Pedro, Jordy Makengo, Willy Kambwala and Ezechiel Banzuzi could make their debuts, while Aaron Tshibola and Junior Kadile replaced the injured Noah Mbamba and Stanis Idumbo.
World Cup goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi is out for several months, allowing Dimitry Bertaud to return and local goalkeeper Nathan Ndibu of Les Aigles du Congo to receive his first call-up. Cedric Bakambu is also absent after being left with San Diego FC following his late move there.
Equatorial Guinea are without Iban “Edu” Salvador, Emilio Nsue, Omar Mascarell, Jose Elo, Jose Nabil Ondo and Luis Miguel Nlavo. Carlos Akapo, Federico Nguema, Alex Mansogo and Salomon Obama have been brought in.
DR Congo’s probable XI is Bertaud; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Mukau, Sadiki; Mbuku, Wissa, Cipenga.
Equatorial Guinea could start Owono; Akapo, Orozco, Coco, Mbomio; Ganet, Bulya, Machin; Obama, Zuniga, Makate.
DR Congo are favourites after their impressive World Cup, while Equatorial Guinea’s competitive form is a concern. The hosts may need patience against a stubborn opponent, but their defensive record points towards a home win: they kept four clean sheets in six recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and conceded six goals in 10 2026 World Cup qualifying matches. Equatorial Guinea scored only five goals in six games during their previous qualifying campaign.