AFCON 2025: Defensive lapse sinks Benin as DR Congo take early lead in Group D
Benin’s long wait for a win at the Africa Cup of Nations finals continue as a costly defensive mistake handed DR Congo a narrow 1-0 victory in their opening Group D encounter at AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
Theo Bongonda emerged as the match winner for the Leopards, capitalising on a moment of hesitation in the Beninese defender, Yohan Roche to fire home in the 16th minute. The early strike proved decisive in a tightly contested affair where chances were few and margins even finer.
Benin started the game with discipline and intent, matching DR Congo for large spells and showing greater composure in midfield as the contest settled. However, a lapse in concentration at the back allowed Bongonda space inside the box, and the winger made no mistake as he calmly slotted past the goalkeeper to give the Congolese the lead.
Despite going behind, Benin responded with renewed urgency. They pushed higher up the pitch in search of an equaliser, creating moments of promise, particularly from set-pieces and quick transitions, but lacked the cutting edge required to truly trouble the DR Congo defence.
The Leopards, drawing on their tournament experience, managed the game intelligently after taking the lead. They stayed compact, limited Benin’s clear-cut opportunities and looked dangerous on the counter, with Bongonda and his fellow attackers exploiting spaces as Benin committed numbers forward.
As the match wore on, frustration crept into Benin’s play, and while they showed spirit until the final whistle, the equalising goal never came. The defeat extends their difficult history at AFCON finals, where victories have remained elusive.
For DR Congo, the win provides an important early boost as they take provisional control of Group D while awaiting the outcome of the other group fixture between Senegal and Botswana.
The Leopards will now look to build on this solid start when they play Senegal in their next game, while Benin must regroup quickly if they are to keep their hopes of progressing alive in Morocco.