Senegal and DR Congo ended Group D on a high on Tuesday night, each delivering commanding 3–0 victories. The twin wins not only secured their places in the Round of 16 but also underlined their status as serious contenders.”
Senegal 3–0 Benin: Ten-Man Lions Still Roar
Senegal knew victory was non-negotiable to stay ahead of DR Congo on goal difference—and they delivered with authority.
Centre-back Abdoulaye Seck opened the scoring in the 38th minute, powering home a towering header from a well-worked Krépin Diatta set piece. The Teranga Lions tightened their grip after the break when Habib Diallo finished off a slick move involving Sadio Mané to double the advantage.
The contest took a dramatic turn in the 71st minute when captain Kalidou Koulibaly was shown a red card following a VAR review. But even with ten men, Senegal never lost control. Deep into stoppage time, substitute Chérif Ndiaye calmly converted from the penalty spot to seal a comprehensive 3–0 win and top the group in style.
DR Congo 3–0 Botswana: Leopards Stay Ruthless
Over in Rabat, DR Congo matched Senegal’s scoreline with a polished performance of their own, brushing aside Botswana with confidence and composure.
The breakthrough came in the 31st minute when Nathanael Mbuku finished after a moment of invention from veteran playmaker Gaël Kakuta, whose clever backheel unlocked the defence. Kakuta then got on the scoresheet himself, converting a penalty just before halftime after a handball in the box.
The Leopards completed the rout late on as Fiston Mayele struck the third, capping a dominant display that ensured maximum pressure was kept on Senegal until the final whistle.
AFCON 2025 Knockout Picture
Both teams finish level on seven points, but Senegal claim top spot in Group D thanks to a superior goal difference (+6) compared to DR Congo’s +4. The Leopards advance as group runners-up, carrying strong momentum into the Round of 16.
Despite their heavy defeat, Benin’s earlier win over Botswana was enough to secure their progression as one of the best third-placed teams from Group D.
Across all six groups, the top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed sides, have qualified for the Round of 16.
Here’s the full list of knockout teams:
Group A: Morocco, Mali
Group B: Egypt, South Africa
Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Tanzania
Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin
Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Sudan
Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Mozambique
With the 16 teams set, the Round of 16 will kick off from January 3, promising thrilling knockout clashes as group winners, runners-up, and the best third-placed teams battle for a place in the quarterfinals.
Photo credit: AFCON/X
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