The Democratic Republic of Congo have been eliminated from the UNIFFAC qualifying tournament for the CAN U20 2027 after a lottery sent Gabon through in their place.

The Leopardeaux finished level on points with Gabon and Congo-Brazzaville in the three-team group, but could not be separated from Gabon by the tournament’s results or goal record. Their elimination means they will not compete at the CAN U20 in 2027, despite remaining unbeaten throughout the qualifying competition.

DR Congo opened their campaign on 12 October with a goalless draw against Gabon before drawing 1-1 with Congo-Brazzaville on Sunday. The two other teams had also played out a 1-1 draw on 15 October.

All three sides therefore ended the group stage with two points. Congo-Brazzaville finished first after scoring two goals, while Gabon and DR Congo had each scored once and conceded once.

With no sporting criteria able to separate the latter two teams, UNIFFAC held a draw in Yaounde at 12:00 on Monday. The procedure took place at Stade d’Olembe and favoured Gabon, bringing DR Congo’s campaign to an end.

The result is particularly painful for a side that had not lost a match and reached the quarter-finals of the last CAN U20, in 2025. DR Congo were also the defending UNIFFAC champions.

The semi-finals are scheduled for 21 October. Cameroon will face Gabon, while Congo-Brazzaville will play the Central African Republic. The two winners will qualify for the CAN U20, which will be held in Ghana in 2027.

DR Congo’s disappointment comes amid growing concerns over the team’s treatment during the tournament. A video that has gone viral shows the Leopardeaux and their staff protesting about their accommodation and other conditions, while threatening to boycott that day’s training session.

Among their complaints were bonuses that had reportedly still not been paid after more than a month of preparation. The circumstances have added to the frustration surrounding an UNIFFAC campaign that ended with elimination by lottery rather than defeat on the pitch.