DR Congo May Be Forced to Host Zimbabwe at Neutral Venue in AFCON Qualifiers Over Ebola Concerns
DR Congo May Be Forced to Host Zimbabwe at Neutral Venue in AFCON Qualifiers Over Ebola Concerns
Zimbabwe’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture away to DR Congo could be moved to a neutral venue if ongoing health concerns linked to an Ebola outbreak in the country continue to raise safety and logistical issues.
The Warriors have been drawn in Group E alongside DR Congo, Sierra Leone, and Equatorial Guinea, with the qualification campaign scheduled to kick off in September.
However, the situation in DR Congo has already begun to affect football planning, with reports indicating that the national team adjusted its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers by holding a training camp in Belgium instead of Kinshasa.
If the health situation does not improve, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) may be compelled to rule that DR Congo cannot host international fixtures at home, which would force the Leopards to play their home matches on neutral ground.
Such a decision could also influence Zimbabwe’s approach to the fixture, particularly given that several players in the squad are based in Europe. Travel restrictions introduced in some countries due to the outbreak could further complicate player availability and movement.
In that scenario, the Zimbabwe Football Association could seek approval from CAF for the match to be staged at a neutral venue to avoid disruptions and ensure full squad access for the Warriors.
