AFCON 2025: Bongonda's strike sends DR Congo top of Group D after edging Benin
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 23.12.25. | 17:42
DR Congo were forced to put in some resolute defensive work late on but held firm to secure maximum points from their opening match
Two-time Africa Cup of Nations champions DR Congo opened their 2025 edition of the tournament with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Benin to go top of Group D in a match played at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, on Tuesday, 23 December.
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DR Congo started brightly, pressing for an early breakthrough and repeatedly advancing into the Benin penalty area. Their early dominance forced Benin into defensive mode, with goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbe frequently called into action to deal with a series of crosses delivered from the flanks by the Leopards.
The early pressure paid off in the 16th minute when DR Congo took the lead. Arthur Masuaku delivered a precise lofted cross into the box, which Theo Bongonda met with a sharp finish inside the right post, leaving Allagbe with no chance.
Benin nearly found an equaliser ten minutes later when Doukou Dodo rose highest to meet a well-delivered free-kick, but his header from near the penalty spot drifted narrowly wide of the right post.
Congo continued to control proceedings and almost doubled their advantage in the 29th minute. Bongonda collected a superb pass inside the box and fired goalwards, but his effort was blocked by a defender for a corner.
He went close again four minutes later, pouncing on a loose ball at the edge of the area before sending his shot high over the bar.
Benin, largely second-best in the first half, created another rare opportunity in the 36th minute when Aiyegun Tosin connected with an accurate cross, directing a powerful header towards the bottom left corner, but DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau made a solid save.
Just before the break, Hassane Imourane surged through the centre and unleashed a fierce shot from the edge of the box that flew just over the crossbar.
DR Congo went into halftime with a 1–0 lead, feeling they could have been further ahead after dominating much of the opening period.
Two minutes into the second half, the Leopards thought they had doubled their lead when Nathanaël Mbuku whipped in a superb cross that Cedric Bakambu headed home from close range. However, a VAR review ruled out the goal for offside.
Benin gradually improved after the restart and enjoyed a few half-chances that failed to seriously trouble the Congolese defence.
In the 66th minute, Romaric Amoussou tested Mpasi-Nzau with a low long-range effort, but the goalkeeper was well-positioned to save comfortably.
Moments later, Tamimou Ouorou struck a powerful shot from distance that narrowly cleared the crossbar.
Bakambu had another excellent chance to score legitimately when he pounced on a loose ball inside the box and fired towards the bottom left corner, but Allagbe reacted quickly to make the save.
DR Congo continued to threaten through Ngal’ayel Mukau, whose long-range effort was blocked, while captain Chancel Mbemba later met a set-piece delivery with a firm header that Allagbe again saved comfortably.
DR Congo were forced to put in some resolute defensive work late on but held firm to secure maximum points from their opening match.
They will next face Senegal, while Benin turn their attention to a crucial encounter against Botswana.
