Zimbabwe host Congo DR in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers. Both sides have started this section of the group without a defeat, though the gap at the top is starting to show.
Congo DR arrive having packed in a lot of football lately, including a run at the World Cup, while Zimbabwe's recent games have been a more mixed bag of friendlies and tournament fixtures. How that difference in rhythm plays out here is worth watching.
Analysis updated .
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Recent form tells two different stories
Zimbabwe's last 20 matches across various competitions show seven wins, six draws and seven losses, with goals shared fairly evenly at 22 for and 22 against. It's a pattern of being competitive without doing anything spectacular.
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Potential returns include your stake. Odds may change.
Zimbabwe: 20 completed matches; Congo DR: 20 completed matches.
Zimbabwe
- Win
- 35% 7 / 20
- Draw
- 30% 6 / 20
- Loss
- 35% 7 / 20
- Scored
- 22
- Conceded
- 22
- Difference
- 0
Congo DR
- Win
- 55% 11 / 20
- Draw
- 15% 3 / 20
- Loss
- 30% 6 / 20
- Scored
- 26
- Conceded
- 13
- Difference
- +13
| League | Home | Away | Date | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friendlies | India | Zimbabwe | 30.05.2026 | 0-1 |
| Friendlies | Nigeria | Zimbabwe | 26.05.2026 | 2-0 |
| Friendlies | Zimbabwe | Zambia U23 | 31.03.2026 | 1-0 |
| Friendlies | Botswana | Zimbabwe | 28.03.2026 | 0-3 |
| Africa Cup of Nations | Zimbabwe | South Africa | 29.12.2025 | 2-3 |
| Africa Cup of Nations | Angola | Zimbabwe | 26.12.2025 | 1-1 |
| Africa Cup of Nations | Egypt | Zimbabwe | 22.12.2025 | 2-1 |
| Friendlies | Qatar | Zimbabwe | 17.11.2025 | 1-2 |
| Friendlies | Algeria | Zimbabwe | 13.11.2025 | 3-1 |
| Friendlies | Niger | Zimbabwe | 10.06.2025 | 1-1 |
| League | Home | Away | Date | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Cup | England | Congo DR | 01.07.2026 | 2-1 |
| World Cup | Congo DR | Uzbekistan | 28.06.2026 | 3-1 |
| World Cup | Colombia | Congo DR | 24.06.2026 | 1-0 |
| World Cup | Portugal | Congo DR | 17.06.2026 | 1-1 |
| Friendlies | Congo DR | Chile | 09.06.2026 | 1-2 |
| Friendlies | Congo DR | Denmark | 03.06.2026 | 0-0 |
| World Cup - Qualification Intercontinental Play-offs | Congo DR | Jamaica | 01.04.2026 | 1-0 |
| Friendlies | Congo DR | Bermuda | 25.03.2026 | 2-0 |
| Africa Cup of Nations | Algeria | Congo DR | 06.01.2026 | 1-0 |
| Africa Cup of Nations | Botswana | Congo DR | 30.12.2025 | 0-3 |
Congo DR's equivalent sample is stronger on paper: 11 wins, three draws and six losses, with 26 scored against just 13 conceded. That run includes their World Cup group games this summer, so it's a broader test than domestic qualifiers alone.
Congo DR look the sharper attacking side of the two on recent evidence.
Comparative Team Statistics: Zimbabwe vs Congo DR
History is split down the middle
The three meetings on record all came at the Africa Cup of Nations, back in 2018 and 2019. Congo DR won one heavily, 4-0 away, Zimbabwe won the other 2-1, and the third finished level.
| League | Home | Away | Date | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa Cup of Nations | Zimbabwe | Congo DR | 30.06.2019 | 0-4 |
| Africa Cup of Nations | Zimbabwe | Congo DR | 16.10.2018 | 1-1 |
| Africa Cup of Nations | Congo DR | Zimbabwe | 13.10.2018 | 1-2 |
It's an old sample and doesn't tell us much about either squad now, but there's no clear psychological edge either way.
A tight top two
Congo DR sit top of this qualifying section with four wins from five and just the one defeat, while Zimbabwe are second and still unbeaten themselves.
| № | Team | Played | Win | Draw | Loss | GF/GA | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group J | |||||||
| 1 | Cameroon | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6/1 | 11 |
| 2 | Zimbabwe | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5/2 | 9 |
| 3 | Kenya | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4/7 | 5 |
| 4 | Namibia | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2/7 | 1 |
| Group H | |||||||
| 1 | Congo DR | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 6/1 | 12 |
| 2 | Guinea | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9/4 | 9 |
| 3 | Tanzania | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4/4 | 7 |
| 4 | Ethiopia | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1/11 | 1 |
The gap is three points, and it's built on different foundations. Congo DR have taken more risks and won more often, Zimbabwe have leaned on draws to stay in touch.
Zimbabwe can't really afford another dropped point if they want to close that gap.
How it might play out
Zimbabwe's unbeaten run has come with plenty of draws, suggesting a side that's hard to break down but not always ruthless in front of goal. That could make for a cagey opening spell at home.
Congo DR's scoring form and their experience against tougher opposition this year point to a team capable of forcing the issue. If they push for the win to protect top spot, Zimbabwe's discipline at the back will be tested.
Key player statistics: Zimbabwe vs Congo DR
Match odds and squad lists
Squad and player details
| Name | Country | Age | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T. Hadebe | Zimbabwe | 31 | Defender | 180 | 74 |
| Name | Country | Age | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C. Mbemba | Congo DR | 32 | Defender | 182 | 81 |
| E. Kayembe | Congo DR | 28 | Midfielder | 183 | 77 |
| C. Bakambu | Congo DR | 35 | Attacker | 182 | 73 |
| M. Elia | Congo DR | 29 | Midfielder | 173 | 67 |
| D. Batubinsika | Congo DR | 30 | Defender | 188 | 80 |
| T. Bongonda | Congo DR | 30 | Midfielder | 177 | 73 |
| R. Bushiri | Congo DR | 26 | Defender | 186 | 78 |
| S. Essende | France | 28 | Forward | 192 | 88 |
| A. Masuaku | Congo DR | 32 | Defender | 179 | 80 |
| A. Wan-Bissaka | England | 28 | Defender | 183 | 72 |
| A. Tuanzebe | England | 28 | Defender | 186 | 75 |
| Y. Wissa | Congo DR | 30 | Attacker | 176 | 74 |
| S. Banza | France | 30 | Forward | 189 | 77 |
| J. Kayembe | Congo DR | 32 | Defender | 182 | 73 |
| S. Moutoussamy | Congo DR | 30 | Midfielder | 176 | 72 |
| L. Mpasi | Congo DR | 32 | Goalkeeper | 182 | 78 |
| G. Kalulu | Congo DR | 29 | Defender | 178 | 78 |
| A. Tshibola | Congo DR | 31 | Midfielder | 184 | 78 |
| G. Kakuta | Congo DR | 35 | Midfielder | 173 | 64 |
| T. Fayulu | Switzerland | 27 | Goalkeeper | 192 | 84 |
This has the makings of a close contest between two teams who've both avoided defeat in the group so far, just by different routes.
With no market to lean on and the evidence pointing in slightly different directions, it's sensible to sit this one out rather than force a view.
Match result odds
Who will win?
