DR Congo hold on to beat Benin at Afcon
Baku, December 23, AZERTAC
DR Congo began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a narrow win over Benin in Group D in Rabat, according to BBC News.
The Leopards took the lead in the 16th minute after Yohan Roche ducked under a long ball forward from Arthur Masuaku and Theo Bongonda guided a first-time volley into the bottom right-hand corner from 10 yards.
Cedric Bakambu thought he had doubled the lead early in the second half but, after a lengthy Video Assistant Referee review, his close-range header was ruled out for an infringement in the build-up.
Saturnin Allagbe then foiled Bakambu from a 1-on-1, and the striker spurned another glorious chance when he headed straight at the Cheetahs goalkeeper from a free-kick.
Aiyegun Tosin came close to an equaliser in the final minute of regulation time but his shot from a narrow angle hit the legs of DR Congo keeper Lionel Mpasi and bounced across the goal to safety.
Problems with the referee's communications equipment in the second half contributed to 10 minutes of added time but the Central Africans held on to secure a winning start to the finals in Morocco.
Senegal could join the Leopards on three points if they beat Botswana in Tuesday's other Group D match (15:00 GMT).
DR Congo, semi-finalists under Sebastien Desabre at the last edition in Ivory Coast, came into the finals on a high after beating Cameroon and Nigeria in Africa's 2026 Fifa World Cup play-offs last month.
They carved out the better chances at the compact Stade El Barid, but Real Betis striker Bakambu should have made the game safe long before the final whistle.
Benin had challenged for a place at the 2026 World Cup but lost their final qualifier 4-0 in Nigeria and were ultimately consigned to a third-placed finish in their group behind South Africa and the Super Eagles.
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