**AFCON Qualifiers: Wissa Leads DR Congo to Victory; Tunisia Held by Botswana**
In an exciting round of matches for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, Yoane Wissa played a pivotal role in guiding the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe in Harare. Meanwhile, Tunisia faced a disappointing 2-2 draw against Botswana in Rades.
Wissa, a 30-year-old striker for Newcastle United, opened the scoring in the 30th minute of the match against Zimbabwe. He capitalized on a mistake by Zimbabwean goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, who failed to secure a cross, allowing Wissa to poke the loose ball into the net. The DRC extended their lead just before halftime when Wissa assisted Samuel Moutoussamy, who scored after breaking through the Zimbabwean defense.
Despite being outplayed in the first half, Zimbabwe showed resilience after the break. Marshall Munetsi managed to score a consolation goal in the 93rd minute, but it was not enough to change the outcome of the match. The DRC's victory marks a strong start to their AFCON qualifying campaign, placing them at the top of Group E with six points, following their earlier 2-0 win against Equatorial Guinea.
Zimbabwe, who had not played at home since November 2021 due to renovations at their stadium, faced a challenging return to competitive action. The match against DRC was a significant moment for the team, but they will need to regroup as they prepare for upcoming fixtures.
In another match, Tunisia struggled to secure a win against Botswana, ending the game in a 2-2 draw. Tunisia initially fell behind when Botswana took the lead, but Hazem Mastouri's two goals, one just before halftime and another shortly after, seemed to put Tunisia on track for a much-needed victory. However, Botswana's substitute Lebogang Ditsele equalized in the 60th minute with a well-placed lob, ensuring the match ended in a stalemate.
This draw marks the second consecutive 2-2 result for Botswana, who previously shared points with Libya. Despite being ranked significantly lower than Tunisia, Botswana currently tops Group H on goal difference, while Tunisia remains in search of their first competitive win of the year.
In other notable matches, Equatorial Guinea secured a 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone, with Loren Zuniga scoring in the first minute of the match. Equatorial Guinea, alongside the Central African Republic, is among the teams that must host their matches at neutral venues due to the lack of an international-standard stadium.
The qualifying matches continue to showcase the competitive nature of African football, with teams striving for a place in the prestigious AFCON tournament. As the qualifiers progress, teams like the DRC and Botswana are looking to build on their early successes, while others, including Tunisia, will be eager to find their form and secure vital points in the coming fixtures.