DR Congo and Benin kick off Group D proceedings at the Al Barid Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday, with the Leopards arriving as heavy favourites following an extraordinary 2025 that has seen them reach the verge of World Cup qualification.
DR Congo: Riding a Wave of Momentum
Few teams arrive at AFCON 2025 in better shape than Sebastien Desabre's men. The Leopards are on a five-match winning streak, having lost just once all year. Their World Cup play-off heroics saw them eliminate Cameroon before stunning Nigeria on penalties in a dramatic clash that ended the Super Eagles' World Cup dreams.
Now just one match away from potentially reaching their first World Cup since 1974, DR Congo have momentum on their side. Their 2-0 friendly win over Zambia last week underlined their defensive solidity – they've conceded just once in their last five matches.
The squad blends Premier League quality with experienced campaigners. Sunderland's Noah Sadiki has emerged as one of the most talented midfielders in the Championship, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe provide defensive steel. Captain Chancel Mbemba, now at Lille, remains the heartbeat of the team alongside prolific forward Cedric Bakambu.
Benin: The Cheetahs Seek First AFCON Win
Under German coach Gernot Rohr, Benin have developed into a competitive outfit that nearly qualified for the 2026 World Cup before a defeat to Nigeria sealed their fate. This is their fifth AFCON appearance, with their best-ever run coming in 2019 when they reached the quarter-finals.
However, form is a concern. The Cheetahs have lost their last two matches by an aggregate score of 7-0, including a 3-0 defeat to Burkina Faso in their final warm-up. Perhaps more worryingly, Benin have never won an AFCON match in open play, with all their draws coming via defensive, pragmatic football.
Rohr, who guided Nigeria to bronze at AFCON 2019, knows the tournament inside out. "Being an outsider just means you're not yet among the top-ranked nations. I don't mind that at all," he said recently. "With our qualification for AFCON and strong World Cup campaign, Benin – now the 'Cheetahs,' not the 'Squirrels' – are earning respect on the African stage."
Head-to-Head
The teams last met during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, with DR Congo winning 2-0 at home before drawing 1-1 in Benin. The Leopards have never lost to the Cheetahs, winning two and drawing one of their three previous meetings.
Key Players
DR Congo: Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Cedric Bakambu
Benin: Steve Mounié (Brest), Junior Olaitan, Jodel Dossou
Predicted Line-ups
DR Congo (4-3-3): Kiassumbua; Wan-Bissaka, Bushiri, Mbemba, Masuaku; Sadiki, Kayembe, Moutoussamy; Wissa, Bakambu, Bongonda
Benin (4-2-3-1): Allagbe; Kiki, Verdon, Moumini, Chadli; Dokou, Imourane; Dossou, Ahlinvi, Aiyegun; Mounié
Match Details
- Kick-off: 12:30 GMT, Tuesday 23 December 2025
- Venue: Al Barid Stadium, Rabat
- Competition: AFCON 2025 Group D, Matchday 1
Prediction
DR Congo's form, quality and momentum should prove too much for a Benin side struggling for goals and confidence. Expect the Leopards to make a statement. DR Congo 2-0 Benin