African sports: CAN 2027 qualifiers and AfroCan qualification

Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are preparing for a decisive match in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifiers at the National Sports Stadium in Harare. The two teams share a balanced historical rivalry, with an equal number of victories in their last four encounters. While the DR Congo holds a significant psychological advantage following a 4-0 victory during the 2019 CAN finals, recent matchups have remained highly competitive and unpredictable.

In basketball, Gabon has secured qualification for the AfroCan 2027 tournament following successful performances in the Zone 4 qualifying tournament held in Douala. The Gabonese team, known as the Panthères, achieved victories against Cameroon and Congo to validate their spot in the upcoming tournament in Rwanda. The qualification highlights the development of young talents such as Elysé Darcy Makambo and Hermann Boukosso Igwe, as the team aims to improve upon its ninth-place finish from the 2023 edition.