AFCON 2025: Senegal clash with Benin as DR Congo face Botswana in Group D decider
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 30.12.25. | 10:13
In Group D, the race for qualification remains wide open, where Senegal and DR Congo both sit on four points, while Benin trails closely on three, making every match in the final round pivotal
After a thrilling conclusion to Groups A and B, which saw host Morocco, Mali, and other sides secure knockout-stage spots, attention now turns to Groups C and D on Tuesday, 30 December, where high-stakes encounters promise crucial outcomes.
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In Group D, the race for qualification remains wide open, where Senegal and DR Congo both sit on four points, while Benin trails closely on three, making every match in the final round pivotal.
The spotlight, however, falls on the Grand Stade de Tanger in Tangier, where Senegal will take on Benin in what promises to be the clash of the day.
Senegal vs Benin
Senegal, coming off a hard-fought 1-1 draw with DR Congo, will be keen to return to winning ways and avoid any last-minute slip that could jeopardize their top-of-the-group standing.
Under Coach Pape Bouna Thiaw, the former Saint-Étienne and Senegal international, will urge his squad to deliver a commanding performance to secure maximum points and progress unbeaten from the group stage.
Thiaw will lean on his experienced, Europe-based contingent, including Al Nassr forward Sadio Mané, Bayern loanee and tournament top scorer Nicolas Jackson, Crystal Palace’s Ismaïla Sarr, Tottenham’s Pape Matar Sarr, Everton duo Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye, Al Hilal defenders Kalidou Koulibaly and Édouard Mendy, Olympique Lyonnais’ Moussa Niakhaté, FC Metz’s Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly, and Villarreal’s Pape Gueye, to steer Senegal past a determined Benin side.
Benin, meanwhile, arrives in Tangier buoyed by a 1-0 win over Botswana after an opening-day defeat to DR Congo.
The West African nation will be aiming to secure a perfect group-stage finish, potentially toppling Senegal and claiming seven points, depending on the DR Congo result against Botswana.
Under the guidance of German coach Gernot Rohr, Benin’s hopes rest on key players including captain and striker Steve Mounié (Alanyaspor), center-back Olivier Verdon (PFC Ludogorets), Yohan Roche (Petrolul Ploiești), Sessi D’Almeida (Neftçi PFK), winger Junior Olaitan (Göztepe SK), goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou (Kruger United), Dodo Dokou (Leixões), Mattéo Ahlinvi (Arsenal Tula), and attacker Aiyegun Tosin (FC Lorient).
Historically, Senegal has dominated the fixture, winning seven of the nine previous encounters, including a 1-0 AFCON quarterfinal victory in 2019 courtesy of Idrissa Gueye’s goal.
Benin will be eager to break that jinx and write a new chapter in their AFCON history, ensuring the clash promises intensity and potentially decisive moments.
DR Congo vs Botswana
Meanwhile, Stade Al Medina will host DR Congo against Botswana.
The Leopards, tied with Senegal on points but trailing on goal difference, will be seeking a clean sweep to secure the top spot in the group.
Coach Sébastien Desabre’s squad will feature Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids FC), Samuel Essende (Augsburg), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Nathanaël Mbuku (Montpellier), Théo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Charles Pickel (Espanyol CF), and Premier League defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Arthur Masuaku, and Axel Tuanzebe.
Botswana, meanwhile, enters as the only winless side in the group but remains dangerous under coach Morena Ramoreboli.
With a pool of local talents dominating their squad, such as goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko (Jwaneng Galaxy FC), captain Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (Al-Ittihad), Tebogo Kopelang (Jwaneng Galaxy FC), Mothusi Johnson (Gaborone United), Mothusi Cooper (Township Rollers FC), Tumisang Orebonye (Wydad Casablanca), Kabelo Seakanyeng (MAS Fès), and Losika Ratshukudu (Ubuntu FC), the Zebras will look to defy the odds and claim a memorable victory.
The DR Congo vs. Botswana clash marks the sixth meeting between the sides, with Congo winning three of the previous five encounters and two draws.
AFCON 2025 - GROUP STAGE
3rd round
Monday
Angola - Egypt 0-0
Zimbabwe - South Africa 2-3 (1-1)
/Maswanhise 19, Modiba 73 og - Moremi 7, Foster 50, Appollis 82 pen/
Comoros - Mali 0-0
Zambia - Morocco 0-3 (0-2)
/El Kaabi 9, 50, Diaz 27/
Tuesday
19.00: (8.00) Tanzania (4.00) Tunisia (1.47)
19.00: (3.45) Uganda (3.15) Nigeria (2.25)
22.00: (11.0) Benin (5.20) Senegal (1.30)
22.00: (12.0) Botswana (5.60) DR Congo (1.27)
Wednesday
19.00: (6.00) Equatorial Guinea (3.60) Algeria (1.65)
19.00: (4.60) Sudan (3.35) Burkina Faso (1.87)
22.00: (6.00) Gabon (3.60) Ivory Coast (1.65)
22.00: (7.00) Mozambique (4.50) Cameroon (1.45)
***odds are subject to change***
