By Angu Lesley
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Leopards continued their impressive start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Sierra Leone at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
Sébastien Desabre’s men registered their third consecutive victory in Group E, strengthening their grip on top spot and moving another step closer to securing qualification for the continental showpiece in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The Leopards needed just four minutes to announce their intentions, with Brentford forward Yoane Wissa opening the scoring. The forward capitalised on an excellent delivery from Nathanaël Mbuku to give the hosts an early advantage and set the tone for an impressive first-half performance.
DR Congo continued to dictate proceedings, applying pressure on the visitors and creating several opportunities to extend their lead. Their dominance eventually paid off in the 35th minute when Samuel Moutoussamy doubled the advantage. Wissa turned provider, setting up the midfielder, who finished confidently to make it 2-0 before the interval.
The hosts maintained their attacking momentum after the restart and effectively put the contest beyond Sierra Leone in the 58th minute. Edo Kayembe found the back of the net following an assist from Arthur Masuaku, giving the Leopards a commanding three-goal advantage.
Despite trailing by three goals, Sierra Leone refused to leave Kinshasa without a response. Substitute Stephen Bekoe capitalised on a defensive misunderstanding involving goalkeeper Mathieu Epolo to pull one back in the 83rd minute. The goal offered the visitors a late consolation, but it was insufficient to change the outcome as DR Congo comfortably protected their advantage until the final whistle.
The victory takes DR Congo to nine points from three matches, having scored six goals and conceded just one. Desabre’s side now enjoy a five-point advantage over their closest challengers, Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea, who are both on four points following their goalless draw in the other Group E encounter. Sierra Leone remain bottom without a point after three consecutive defeats.
The result further underlines DR Congo’s determination to return to the continental summit and build on their recent progress under Desabre. With experienced internationals such as Wissa, Chancel Mbemba and Moutoussamy providing leadership alongside an increasingly competitive group of players, the Leopards are emerging as strong contenders in Group E.
DR Congo will now travel to Morocco for the return encounter against Sierra Leone on Tuesday, November 17. Another victory would put the Leopards in an exceptionally strong position to secure their place at the 2027 AFCON, while Sierra Leone face an increasingly difficult task in their attempt to revive their qualification campaign.
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