DR Congo lead Equatorial Guinea 1-0 at half-time in their opening Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying match in Kinshasa.
Chancel Mbemba put the hosts ahead in the fourth minute, giving DR Congo an early advantage at Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte.
The match is the opening fixture for both teams in Group E, where DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe are competing for two places at the finals.
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DR Congo strike early
Mbemba’s early finish settled a fast start for the home side and forced Equatorial Guinea to chase the game from the opening stages.
DR Congo controlled much of the first half and created the clearer attacking opportunities, while Equatorial Guinea struggled to produce a sustained response before the interval.
Equatorial Guinea also made an early change when Rony Mbomio replaced a teammate in the 40th minute.
Jannick Buyla was booked in first-half stoppage time as the visitors attempted to disrupt DR Congo’s momentum.
What the result would mean
If DR Congo hold on, the victory would give the team three points in a group expected to be closely contested.
The qualifying format leaves little room for a slow start because each team has only six group matches to secure one of the two available qualification places.
CAF’s schedule has Equatorial Guinea travelling to face DR Congo on September 24 before returning home to play Sierra Leone on September 28.
DR Congo are scheduled to visit Zimbabwe on September 28 in their second match of the qualifying window.
Second-half focus
Equatorial Guinea now need an equalizer to prevent an opening-day defeat, while DR Congo will look to protect its lead and turn its early pressure into a larger margin.
The second half will also test whether the hosts can maintain their control against an Equatorial Guinea side that has earned a reputation for being competitive in recent continental tournaments.
The match remains live, and the final result could significantly shape the early Group E standings.
Kickoff was scheduled for 4 p.m. UTC on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte in Kinshasa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DR Congo vs Equatorial Guinea score?
DR Congo lead Equatorial Guinea 1-0 at half-time.
Who scored for DR Congo?
Chancel Mbemba scored in the fourth minute.
What competition is the match in?
The game is part of the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers.
Which group contains DR Congo and Equatorial Guinea?
Both teams are in Group E alongside Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe.
When is DR Congo’s next qualifying match?
DR Congo are scheduled to play Zimbabwe away on September 28, 2026.
Fact-Checked: The score, scorer, competition, venue and qualifying schedule were checked against CAF information and current live match data.
Disclaimer: This is a live match update and the score, events and standings may change before full time.