The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) began their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Benin in a Group D encounter held in Rabat, Morocco.
Theo Bongonda’s first-half strike proved decisive, giving DR Congo the lead and ultimately the win in a closely contested match that showcased tactical discipline from both sides. Despite several chances, including a disallowed DR Congo effort after a VAR review, the Leopards held on for the win.
The victory places DR Congo in a positive position early in Group D, which also includes Senegal, a team that secured a strong 3-0 victory over Botswana on the same matchday. DR Congo’s performance, while not flashy, reflected determination and resilience, setting a foundation for the rest of their tournament run.
For Benin, the defeat is a setback in their Group D ambitions, but the team remains focused on regrouping as they face additional matches against strong opponents. Both teams will be looking to build on this opening day result as AFCON 2025 unfolds in Morocco.
