DR Congo kicked off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations journey with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Benin in Group D, held in Rabat. The match saw Theo Bongonda net the decisive goal in the 16th minute, capitalizing on a misjudgment by Benin defender Yohan Roche, who failed to properly handle a long ball forward.
Throughout the match, the Leopards were active in their pursuit of a second goal, with Cedric Bakambu coming close but seeing his efforts thwarted by VAR and the impressive Benin goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbe. Benin mounted a late charge for an equalizer, with Aiyegun Tosin nearly finding the net as his attempt narrowly missed the target.
Despite a tense finish that included 10 minutes of stoppage time, DR Congo managed to maintain their lead and secure three crucial points. Looking ahead, they are set to face Senegal in their next Group D encounter, while Benin will shift their focus to an upcoming match against Botswana. This victory sets a positive tone for the DR Congo team as they aim for continued success in the tournament.