Zimbabwe will play at home for the first time in five years when they host the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday in a top-of-the-table Africa Cup of Nations group qualifier. The match will take place at the 60,000-seat National Sports Stadium on the outskirts of Harare, which has undergone major renovations. This development allows The Warriors to finally perform in front of their supporters again.
The return to home soil comes at an optimistic time for Zimbabwe, who staged a dramatic comeback in their previous match. They overcame a two-goal deficit to snatch a 3-2 away win over Sierra Leone. Marshall Munetsi, a 30-year-old midfielder with English second-tier club Wolverhampton Wanderers, triggered the recovery with a 72nd-minute goal. His teammate Tawanda Chirewa equalised four minutes later, and Munetsi struck again with two minutes of regular time remaining.
The victory marked a dream competitive debut for Ramon Catala, a 65-year-old Spaniard who has coached in the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Ukraine, and Libya. Zimbabwe's opponents, DR Congo, cruised to a 2-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea in Kinshasa under French coach Sebastien Desabre. Captain and centre-back Chancel Mbemba nodded the Congolese in front within four minutes, and Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa added a second goal after half-time.
DR Congo has been transformed under Desabre into a well-drilled, combative unit. The team qualified for the 2026 World Cup after a 52-year absence and led England for 68 minutes of a last-32 clash before a Harry Kane brace turned the tables. Meanwhile, 13 of the 48 teams competing in 2027 AFCON qualifiers are 'homeless', including Sudan, Somalia, and 2022 AFCON champions Senegal.
Sudan is unable to play in Khartoum due to a civil war, while Somalia cannot host opponents in Mogadishu due to security concerns. Eleven other countries, including Senegal, currently lack stadiums that meet international standards. The situation highlights the challenges faced by several African teams in hosting international matches.
In another matchday two fixture, Guinea-Bissau hosts three-time AFCON champions Nigeria on Tuesday. Guinea-Bissau secured a 2-0 victory over 2027 AFCON co-hosts Tanzania in their previous match, with goals from Franculino Dju and Mama Balde. The result stunned Tanzania, who had reached an AFCON knockout stage for the first time this year under Argentine coach Miguel Gamondi.
The outcome of the match between Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria will have significant implications for the qualifying group. With Tanzania assured of a qualifying place, only one of Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, and Madagascar can join them at the finals. Lacking injured star striker Victor Osimhen, Nigeria had to come from behind to edge Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo with debutants George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor scoring.
Key points
- Zimbabwe plays its first home match in five years against DR Congo.
- 13 teams are 'homeless' in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers due to stadium issues.
- Guinea-Bissau hosts Nigeria in a crucial matchday two fixture.
