• AFCON 2025

• Frank Rotich 3 months ago

AFCON Group D kicks-off as tournament favourites Senegal face Botswana, DR Congo tackle Benin

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) action enters the third day on Tuesday, December 23, with Group D matches taking centre stage. Football fans will be treated to two exciting games as DR Congo play Benin before Senegal take on Botswana.

‎Group D brings together favourites, strong challengers and clear underdogs. Senegal are widely seen as one of the teams to beat in the tournament, while DR Congo are also tipped to go far.

Benin and Botswana, however, arrive with less pressure and could use that freedom to surprise the big teams.

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‎ DR Congo v Benin

‎‎The day’s action begins with DR Congo facing Benin at the Al Barid Stadium in Rabat from 3.30pm EAT.

‎DR Congo head into the match as clear favourites. The Leopards are in fine form, having won their last five matches and lost only once in their previous 11 games under coach Sebastien Desabre.

They will be keen to make a strong start after a disappointing 2023 AFCON, where they failed to win a single group match.

‎The two-time African champions boast a strong squad that includes Premier League players like Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Noah Sadiki, alongside experienced stars Chancel Mbemba and Nathanael Mbuku.

‎Speaking ahead of the match, coach Desabre promised fans an exciting campaign.

“We made the fans happy in November and we want to keep the same spirit at this AFCON,” he said.

‎Benin return to the AFCON finals for the first time in six years, having last featured in 2019. This will be their fifth appearance at the tournament.

However, the Cheetahs are still searching for their first AFCON win in open play, having failed to win any of their previous 14 matches.

‎Despite being underdogs, Benin are hopeful of changing their fortunes. Coach Gernot Rohr will rely on experienced players such as Steve Mounie, Jodel Dossou, Olivier Verdon and David Kiki.

“We are proud to be here. Our first aim is to perform well against DR Congo, then we will push to go as far as possible,” Rohr said.

‎‎The two sides have met twice before, with DR Congo winning one match and the other ending in a draw.

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Senegal v Botswana

The second match of the day will see Senegal face Botswana at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier from 6pm EAT.

‎‎Senegal arrive as Group D favourites and one of the strongest teams in the tournament. The Lions of Teranga are former champions, having won the 2021 AFCON, and they have a strong record in opening matches, losing only two of their last 17.

‎Coached by Pape Thiaw, Senegal will be making their 18th AFCON appearance and will be keen to start on a winning note.

Star forward Sadio Mane leads a squad packed with quality, including Kalidou Koulibaly, Nicolas Jackson, Edouard Mendy, Idrissa Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr and Ismaila Sarr.

‎‎Captain Koulibaly warned against underestimating Botswana.

“We take Botswana very seriously. They eliminated Cape Verde, so we know we must stay focused,” he said.

Botswana are making only their second appearance at the AFCON finals. They qualified with impressive results, including a draw against Egypt and a win over Cape Verde. Most of their players play in local leagues or in North Africa.

Their head coach, Morena Ramoreboli, will also make history as the first South African to coach another nation at the AFCON finals.

‎As Group D gets underway, fans will be watching closely to see whether the favourites deliver or the underdogs rise to the occasion.