By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Sebastien Bozon.
DR Congo began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Benin, courtesy of Theo Bongonda only goal of the Group D clash in Rabat.
Benin bossed possession in the first half, but there was very little flow to the game as both sets of players didn’t hold back in their challenges which resulted in several free-kicks being awarded.
One such set-piece led to the opener after just 16 minutes as DR Congo got off to a flying start when Bongonda latched onto Arthur Masuaku’s delivery and fired off a quick shot inside the box to break the deadlock.
Benin created two chances just before half-time, but neither of them tested DR Congo keeper Lionel Mpasi as Rodolfo Aloko flashed a shot wide of the right post from the edge of the box on 44 minutes and Hassane Imourane skied his effort from inside the area moments later.
Cedric Bakambu thought he had doubled the lead early in the second half but, after a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) review, his close-range header was ruled out for an infringement in the build-up.
Benin keeper Saturnin Allagbe then foiled Bakambu from a 1-v-1 situation, and the striker spurned another glorious chance when he headed straight at him from a free-kick.
Aiyegun Tosin came close to an equaliser in the final minute, but his shot from a narrow angle hit the legs of Mpasi and bounced across the goal to safety.