Democratic Republic of the Congo go face Sierra Leone for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday 12 November 2026 for Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa. Kickoff na 16:00 GMT, wey be 17:00 for Kinshasa. The match na first leg of double-header, and the return leg go hold on Tuesday 17 November for Morocco, because Sierra Leone no get stadium wey CAF approve.
FECOFA don open ticket sales for the game. One ticket go cost $30 for Full Access, and sales start 10:00 a.m. Fans fit buy in person for FECOFA headquarters or reserve online for official FECOFA website, then pay with mobile money or credit card. FECOFA remind fans say online receipt no be stadium pass; anybody wey pay online must go headquarters with proof of payment to collect physical ticket before e fit enter Stade des Martyrs.
Coach Sébastien Desabre name 26-player squad for the double-header. Willy Kambwala bin dey initial list but e pull out through injury on 8 November. FECOFA announce say TP Mazembe defender Magloire Ntambwe go replace am, and the squad still remain 26. The nature and length of Kambwala injury no dey disclosed.
Cédric Bakambu return to Leopards squad after e miss previous get-togethers. The 35-year-old striker, wey now dey play for San Diego FC for United States, go join attack wey already get Yoane Wissa, Simon Banza and Fiston Mayele. Bakambu get 21 goals for country and e dey close in on Dieumerci Mbokani record of 22.
Timothy Fayulu also return among goalkeepers alongside Dimitry Bertaud and Matthieu Epolo. Noah Mbamba dey inside list, while Kevin Pedro, Jordy Makengo and Ézéchiel Banzuzi among players dem recently bring into squad and confirm for this camp. But Aaron Wan-Bissaka miss out through injury. Théo Bongonda, Charles Pickel and Samuel Essende, despite him club form with Young Boys for Bern, no dey squad.
Even with absentees, Desabre still keep good part of him backbone, including Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku, Axel Tuanzebe, Samuel Moutoussamy, Noah Sadiki and Yoane Wissa. That continuity allow coach rely on players wey used to international football. DR Congo lead Group E with six points after two matches. Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea get three points each, while Sierra Leone dey bottom without point. Two wins go put Leopards for strong position to qualify for 2027 AFCON finals, wey Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda go host.
