✍🏾 ADVENT SHOKO | ZiGoats
Zimbabwe’s hopes of reaching the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will face another important test when the Warriors meet Equatorial Guinea in the next round of Group E qualifying.
The Warriors currently sit second in the group on 3 points, level with Equatorial Guinea but ahead on goal difference. DR Congo lead the section with 6 points after winning both of their opening matches. Sierra Leone are bottom without a point.
Zimbabwe made a flying start to the campaign in dramatic fashion, coming from 2-0 down to beat Sierra Leone 3-2 in El Jadida, Morocco.
Alie Conteh and Sallieu Tarawallie had put Sierra Leone in control, but the Warriors produced a remarkable second-half comeback. Marshall Munetsi pulled one back in the 72nd minute before Tawanda Chirewa levelled four minutes later.
Munetsi then completed the turnaround with his second goal to give Zimbabwe all three points. CAF described it as one of the standout comebacks of the opening matchday.
The Warriors were unable to build on that result against a star-studded DR Congo side, however, losing 2-1 in Harare.
Yoane Wissa opened the scoring for the Leopards in the 30th minute, while Samuel Moutoussamy doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time. Munetsi pulled one back for Zimbabwe deep into added time, but the hosts could not find an equaliser.
The result leaves Zimbabwe with 3 points from 2 matches, while DR Congo have made a perfect start with 6 points.
Equatorial Guinea also have 3 points, but their campaign began with a 2-0 defeat to DR Congo. Chancel Mbemba scored early for the Leopards before Wissa added the second in the 72nd minute.
That makes the Zimbabwe-Equatorial Guinea contest particularly significant.
With six matches in the qualifying group and the top two teams advancing to the AFCON 2027 finals, every point matters. CAF’s qualifying format requires the four Group E teams to play home and away, with the first two progressing.
For Zimbabwe, the immediate task is to turn their strong comeback against Sierra Leone and late fightback against DR Congo into a result against Equatorial Guinea.
The Warriors will also know that the margin for dropped points will become smaller as the qualifying campaign progresses. A victory would move Zimbabwe to 6 points and put pressure on the teams around them, while another defeat would leave the Warriors needing results elsewhere as well as a strong finish in the remaining fixtures.
The next qualifying window is scheduled for 9-17 November 2026, with Zimbabwe set to face Equatorial Guinea during that window before the final two matchdays in March 2027. ZIFA currently lists Equatorial Guinea vs Zimbabwe for November 9 and Zimbabwe vs Equatorial Guinea for November 17, although match details should be confirmed as the dates approach.
Zimbabwe, under Spanish coach Ramon Catala, have already shown they can fight back when their backs are against the wall.
Against Equatorial Guinea, the challenge will be to avoid giving themselves another mountain to climb.
With DR Congo setting the early pace and Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea locked on 3 points, the Warriors will need to make their next opportunity count if they are to keep their AFCON 2027 ambitions firmly on track.
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