DR Congo vs Benin: Bongonda’s strike gives Leopards winning start at AFCON

DR Congo vs Benin kicked off in Group D on Tuesday at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat, with the Leopards edging out their opponents 1-0 thanks to an early goal from Theo Bongonda.

In the DR Congo vs Benin clash, Bongonda, who plays for Spartak Moscow, pounced on a defensive mistake to score in the 16th minute, giving DR Congo an early lead. The Leopards briefly thought they had doubled their advantage just after halftime when Cedric Bakambu headed in a Nathanael Mbuku cross, but the goal was overturned for offside after a VAR review.

Despite the tight scoreline, DR Congo held on to secure all three points against Benin. The win sets them up well in a group that also includes 2022 champions Senegal and Botswana, who played later Tuesday in Tangier.

“The most important thing is that we make our people proud,” Bongonda said. “It was a very tough match. I didn’t really know much about Benin, but they are a strong side. What matters is we got the three points, even if our performance wasn’t perfect.”

DR Congo were semi-finalists in the last Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast earlier this year, but haven’t gone further since winning the trophy as Zaire in 1974.

Coach Sebastien Desabre’s squad, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka of West Ham and Sunderland’s promising Noah Sadiki, is also aiming for 2026 World Cup qualification. They will face either New Caledonia or Jamaica in a March play-off in Mexico, with the winner joining Group K alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Colombia.