The Democratic Republic of Congo begins its journey in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, held in Morocco, with a hard-fought victory over Benin, winning 1-0 in a match that took place this Tuesday evening at the city stadium in Rabat, as part of the first round of Group D.
From the early minutes, the Congolese team showed clear superiority, entering the match with a lineup featuring several prominent and experienced players, including Chancel Mbemba from Lille, Aaron Wan-Bissaka from West Ham, and Cedric Bakambu from Real Betis, under the guidance of veteran coach Sebastien Desabre, who has previously managed Wydad Casablanca on two occasions.
The “Lions” quickly translated their dominance into a lead when Téo Bongonda found the net in the 16th minute, capitalizing on a precise pass from Arthur Masuaku and a defensive misalignment from the Benin side.
Despite the early goal, the Congolese continued to apply offensive pressure in search of a second goal, while Benin attempted to respond through counterattacks. However, the Congolese defense remained organized and disciplined, preserving their lead until the end of the first half.
At the start of the second half, the Congolese team once again imposed their rhythm, successfully scoring a second goal that was disallowed by South African referee Abongile Tom due to an offside call on player Nathaniel Mbuyamba in the 47th minute.
Cedric Bakambu nearly doubled the score in the 71st minute after breaking away from Benin goalkeeper Olabi Alagba, who made a remarkable save to keep his team in the game.
In the dying minutes, the Benin team applied heavy pressure on the Congolese goal, creating some troubles for the defense, but their efforts did not yield any goals. The match ended with the “Lions” claiming a 1-0 victory, placing them in a comfortable position at the beginning of their continental campaign.
In the same group, the Senegalese team will face Botswana later today at the Grand Stadium of Tangier, a match that also holds significant importance in the race for the top spots.
