DR Congo enters the AFCON 2027 Group E qualifiers as the clear frontrunner, holding an 83% implied probability to finish first based on trader consensus. Their FIFA ranking around 41st, bolstered by a strong 2026 World Cup campaign and a squad featuring Europe-based talents such as Yoane Wissa, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Chancel Mbemba, creates a significant gap over the rest of the group. The Leopards opened with a 2-0 win over Equatorial Guinea, while Zimbabwe’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory against Sierra Leone keeps both sides level on points early. The September 28 clash between Zimbabwe and DR Congo will heavily influence early momentum, with the Warriors facing a steep challenge against DR Congo’s depth and organization. Lower-ranked sides like Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe trail with single-digit probabilities, reflecting limited recent form and squad quality against the group favorite.