AFCON 2025’s Group D kicked off with a DR Congo vs Benin matchup at the Al Barid Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. This fixture is one of two opening matches for the group on the first matchday and marks the beginning of DR Congo and Benin’s campaigns in the continental finals.
Group D also includes Senegal and Botswana, in which Senegal dominated the Southern African side in a 3-1 victory. The top two teams from the group, along with select third-placed sides across the tournament, will progress to the knockout rounds.
DR Congo vs Benin: A Thrilling Matchup
DR Congo: Continental Competitor with AFCON History
The DR Congo national football team, also known as the Leopards, are among Africa’s established footballing nations. They have a history of participation in the Africa Cup of Nations dating back decades, including two championship victories under earlier incarnations of the nation’s team. In recent decades, DR Congo have remained competitive in qualifying and finals tournaments.
In their most recent AFCON appearance before 2025, at AFCON 2023, DR Congo competed in the group stage of the tournament. They made it to the semi-finals and lost 1-0 to AFCON 2023 winners, Côte d’Ivoire. The Leopards have consistently produced competitive sides featuring a mix of domestic league talent and players based in Europe and other international leagues. Their opening game was no different, with a thrilling finish by Theo Bongonda catapulting them to joint first position with Senegal.
Benin: Building Presence in African Football
The Benin national football team, formally referred to as the Squirrels but now known as cheetahs, has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations on several occasions, including 2004, 2008, 2010, 2019 and 2025. Throughout their AFCON history, Benin has experienced limited success in the finals, and they have not historically progressed as far as the knockout stages in most of their tournaments. Their best notable run came in 2019, when they reached the quarter-finals.
Benin return to the AFCON finals in 2025 following their qualification, and their match against DR Congo was their first game of the Group D campaign. The Squirrels will be hoping to have better results in their following games against Senegal and Botswana.
DR Congo vs Benin Match Significance
The opening match for Group D at AFCON 2025 represented a key starting point for both teams’ campaigns. DR Congo arrived with a long continental history that includes championship titles and regular finals appearances which they were able to back up, while Benin entered the match seeking to make an impact following their qualification, and their hopes are still high for a chance in the future.
The result will set early group standings and could shape each team’s strategy for subsequent Group D matches against Senegal and Botswana.
Also read: South Africa vs Angola: Massive Group B Opener at AFCON 2025