Zimbabwe suffered a setback in their bid to reach the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027, to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from 19 June to 17 July 2027, after a 2-1 defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in a Group E qualifier at the National Sports Stadium on Monday.
The result left the Leopards top of the group on six points. Zimbabwe remain second on three points by virtue of a superior goal difference, ahead of Equatorial Guinea who are also on three. Sierra Leone anchor the group on zero.
DRC dominated the early exchanges without creating a clear-cut chance, with Nathanael Mbuku’s 14th-minute overhead kick flying over the bar.
The visitors’ pressure told on the half-hour mark when goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze failed to deal with a high cross, and Yoane Wissa pounced on the spill to make it 1-0.
The Warriors responded but lacked ruthlessness in front of goal. Thando Ngwenya and Tawanda Chirewa were denied by a fine double save, Marshall Munetsi saw a header from a corner cleared off the line by the Congolese defence, and Chirewa’s long-range effort in the 42nd minute was well saved.
Zimbabwe were made to pay for those misses. Wissa dragged wide when clean through on Chipezeze, but moments later the Newcastle United forward turned provider, threading a pass for Samuel Moutoussamy to finish and put DRC 2-0 up at the break.
The second half started cagey before DRC regained control, with Wissa striking the post on the hour.
Zimbabwe improved after the introduction of Daniel Msendami, Emmanuel Jalai, Divine Lunga and Sean Fusire, and finally found a way back in stoppage time.
Munetsi saw a glorious header tipped over for a corner, but was not to be denied from the next delivery, heading in to make it 2-1. It was the Wolves midfielder’s third goal of the qualifying campaign, but it proved too little, too late.
Meanwhile, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was at the National Sports Stadium, commended the Warriors’ fighting spirit.
Shortly after the final whistle, he hailed the team on social media for giving “everything on the pitch”.
“A proud and spirited performance by our national team tonight at the National Sports Stadium,” he wrote.
“While the final score did not go our way against the Democratic Republic of Congo, our players gave everything on the pitch and treated us to a genuinely magnificent game of football.
“They showed exceptional character, skill, and resilience against formidable opponents, proving that our football is moving in the right direction.
“Defeats are tough, but they are also the foundation of future victories. We stand firmly behind the team and the technical staff as they regroup for the rest of the AFCON qualification campaign.
“Thank you to the thousands of patriotic fans who filled the stadium and roared until the final whistle. Our journey continues!”
Leave a Reply Cancel reply