The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 continued on Tuesday with the opening fixture of Matchday 3, as Theo Bongonda 16th minute strike helped DR Congo secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Benin in Group D at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
Théo Bongonda goal proved decisive, giving the Leopards a crucial early boost in what is shaping up to be one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.
Bongonda struck in the 16th minute, finishing calmly into the bottom corner after an assist from Arthur Masuaku, following a tightly contested opening period marked by cautious play from both sides.
Benin, returning to AFCON after missing the last two editions, showed defensive fralities, as well struggled to create clear chances before the break.
DR Congo thought they had doubled their advantage midway through the second half when Cédric Bakambu found the net, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review, keeping Benin firmly in contention until the closing stages.
Despite late pressure from the West Africans, DR Congo held on to claim all three points and lay down an early marker in Group D, which also features defending champions Senegal and Botswana.
Earlier before kick-off, Benin head coach Gernot Rohr confirmed that his side were missing five suspended players but expressed confidence in his team’s collective strength.
DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre had highlighted the balance between experience and AFCON debutants in his squad ahead of the encounter.
Attention now shifts to Tangier, where reigning champions Senegal are set to open their AFCON 2025 campaign against Botswana later on Tuesday, while heavyweights Nigeria and Tunisia are also scheduled to begin their group-stage journeys.
AFCON 2025 is the 35th edition of Africa’s premier football competition and runs until 18 January 2026, with matches hosted across several Moroccan cities.
