The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has authorised 18,000 spectators to attend the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifier between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and Sierra Leone. This decision reverses an earlier ruling to stage the match behind closed doors. The match is scheduled for Thursday, 12 November 2026, at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa.
The Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA) had announced on 6 November that the encounter would be played without spectators following new restrictions imposed by CAF on the stadium. Initially, only 45 journalists and 15 technical personnel were expected to be admitted to cover the match. However, reports from DR Congo on Monday, 9 November, confirmed that CAF had subsequently approved a restricted attendance of 18,000 spectators.
The restriction is linked to ongoing work to bring the Stade des Martyrs up to required standards, including improvements to seating, painting and parking facilities. The reduced capacity is intended to address safety and crowd-control concerns while the work continues. This development will allow fans to attend the match while ensuring their safety.
The match forms part of the third round of Group E in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00 pm local time in Kinshasa and 4:00pm in Freetown. DR Congo currently lead the group with six points from two matches, while Sierra Leone are bottom without a point after losing their opening two fixtures.
The two countries will meet again on 17 November in El Jadida, Morocco, for the return fixture, which will serve as Sierra Leone’s home match because the country does not currently have a stadium approved by CAF to host international matches. Sierra Leone will be seeking its first points in the qualifying campaign, while DR Congo will aim to maintain its winning start.
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) and the DR Congo football authorities will have to ensure that the approved capacity is not exceeded, and that all safety and security measures are in place to guarantee a successful match. Fans are expected to adhere to the rules and regulations set by the stadium authorities to avoid any potential issues.
The decision by CAF to allow 18,000 fans to attend the match is a welcome development for both teams and their supporters. The match is expected to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to make a positive impact in the qualifying campaign. Key Point: CAF has approved 18,000 spectators for the AFCON 2027 qualifier between DR Congo and Sierra Leone.
Key points
- The match is part of the third round of Group E in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
- The return fixture will be played on 17 November in El Jadida, Morocco.
