Sports Correspondent
The Democratic Republic of Congo have suffered a defensive setback ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier against Zimbabwe at the National Sports Stadium on Monday.
DRC defender Dylan Batubinsika has been ruled out of the potentially explosive Group E showdown after picking up an injury, forcing the Leopards to draft in Iraq-based defender Henock Inonga Baka as his replacement.
Batubinsika’s withdrawal comes at a crucial stage for the visitors, who are looking to build on their impressive start to the qualifying campaign.
The defender plays for Romanian Liga I club FCSB.
The Leopards opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea in Kinshasa, while the Warriors announced their intentions with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Sierra Leone in Morocco on Thursday.
Zimbabwe found themselves two goals down before Marshall Munetsi struck twice and Tawanda Chirewa completed a remarkable turnaround to hand the Warriors maximum points.
The result has set up a mouth-watering clash in Harare, with both sides sitting on three points at the top of Group E.
DRC currently occupy pole position on goal difference, while Zimbabwe are second.
The visitors will now have to reshuffle their defence following Batubinsika’s injury, with Inonga expected to provide additional depth ahead of the Warriors’ challenge.
