Epfkin 2026-2027: "we will start the championship on November 2, 2025 until May 31, 2027" (Jules Fila)

The committee of the Provincial Football Association of Kinshasa (EPFKIN) held the draw for the group stage for the 2026-2027 sports season on this Monday, October 19, 2026. In an interview given to ACTUALITE.CD, the provincial executive secretary, Jules Fila Kimfumu, announced a complete restructuring of the provincial championship. "We could not play 23 series with the arrival of the 6 clubs relegated from the Linafoot. This is how we broke up our initial series: we now have 3 series, Series A with 16 clubs, Series B with 16 clubs, and Series C with 14 clubs. You followed me with the draw which took place in a very transparent manner," he explained to ACTUALITE.CD. To continue: "Now they will play and, at the end, the top 3 will compete in a triangular tournament to determine the champions. And the bottom 4 of each series will descend to lower divisions." Originally scheduled for mid-September, the start of the championship is delayed by several weeks due to administrative and logistical contingencies. The committee has set an intensive schedule to conclude the season before the summer of 2027. "Because we experienced too much hesitation, we will start the championships from November 2nd until May 31st. So starting tomorrow, we will establish the schedules. If we have the three fields in our possession—the Martyrs stadium, Tata Raphaël, and the training ground of the Congo Eagles academy, I think we will finish our championship on May 31st," he continued. Aware of the technical challenge awaiting the clubs and officials, the provincial executive secretary wanted to reassure the sporting public about the determination of the EPFKIN committee to see this edition through. "We started late, it is not of our own will, these are unforeseen circumstances that we have suffered. The championships were initially planned for September 15th, so we will start with two months of delay. We will do everything to be able to play, utilize the schedules, and achieve the objectives." The Kinshasa clubs are now focused on their fate and have only two weeks left to finalize their preparations before the official start set for next November 2nd. Fiston MOKILI