DR Congo began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Benin in their Group D opener at Al Barid Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday, Afrosport reports.
The Leopards came to Morocco after a fourth-place finish at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, while it was a return for the Cheetahs for the first time since 2019.
The Congolese opened proceedings after just 16 minutes when Theo Bongonda connected with Arthur Masuaku’s pass to put the ball into the back of the net.
The two-time AFCON champions thought they had doubled their lead two minutes into the second half when Cedric Bakambu headed in Nathaniel Mbuku’s cross. It was however ruled out by VAR for offside in the build-up.
Benin tried to find an equaliser towards the closing stages of the game, notably from Tosin Aiyegun, but none were able to go past DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau.
FULL-TIME! 🇨🇩🇧🇯
Theo Bongonda on target as DR Congo open their campaign with victory. 👏#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @tecnomobile pic.twitter.com/ADg3ZYLJLl
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 23, 2025
The victory was Congo’s sixth on foreign soil, while Benin continue to search for their first-ever AFCON win.
