DR Congo cemented their position at the top of Group E in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 Qualifiers on Thursday, defeating Sierra Leone 3-1 for a third consecutive victory. Elsewhere in the group, Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe played out a goalless draw, while Madagascar held Guinea-Bissau to a 1-1 stalemate in Group L.

DR Congo cruise to third straight win

The Leopards were in commanding form from the first whistle. Yoane Wissa opened the scoring in the 4th minute, assisted by Nathanaël Mbuku, to give DR Congo the ideal platform.

Samuel Moutoussamy extended the lead to 2-0 in the 35th minute, ensuring the hosts went into the break firmly in control. After the interval, Edo Kayembe capped a dominant display by adding a third in the 58th minute from a pass by Arthur Masuaku.

Sierra Leone pulled one back through substitute Stephen Bekoe in the 83rd minute, but it was no more than a consolation. The result moves Sébastien Desabre's side to nine points from three matches — well clear at the summit of Group E. They face Sierra Leone again in the reverse fixture on 17 November.

Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe cancel each other out

In Malabo, Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe could not be separated in a tight, goalless contest. Both sides arrived on three points, knowing a win could have significantly boosted their chances of chasing down DR Congo.

Zimbabwe's Kelvin Moyo picked up a yellow card in the 24th minute, and Andy Rinomhota followed him into the book in the 55th. Despite tactical adjustments and substitutions from both benches in the second half, the deadlock held.

The draw leaves both Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe on four points each after three matches. The two sides will settle the matter again in Zimbabwe on 16 November.

Madagascar deny Guinea-Bissau a perfect record

In Group L, Guinea-Bissau arrived in Madagascar boasting a perfect six points from two matches, but the island nation refused to be a simple stepping stone.

Warren Caddy put Madagascar ahead in the 59th minute after a goalless first half, threatening what would have been the hosts' first win of the campaign. Guinea-Bissau refused to buckle, however, and Renato Nhaga levelled in the 84th minute — assisted by Tombie Vieira — to salvage a point for the West Africans.

The result keeps Guinea-Bissau unbeaten, moving them to seven points from three matches and maintaining their grip on top spot in Group L. Madagascar remain without a win but will get another chance to change that when the two sides meet again on 17 November. The continental finals will be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027.