DR Congo players during 2025 Africa Cup of Nations DR Congo Training on the 26 December 2025 in Tangier ©Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Monday Dec 29, 2025. 12:00
The Democratic Republic of the Congo will look to continue its fine form at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and confirm its place in the knockout stage as it faces Botswana at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday.
Kick-off is at 9pm CAT.
Botswana’ struggles at the AFCON finals have continued in the country’s second appearance, with the team now having lost all five of its games in tournament history.
The Zebras are yet to score or keep a clean sheet at this year’s edition, having lost 3-0 to Senegal and 1-0 to Benin.
They are firmly rooted to the bottom of group D as the only team to have not amassed at least three points so far. The Zebras are yet to get on the board.
DR Congo, who were last eliminated at the group stage in 2013, have the opportunity to advance to the knockout stage a fifth successive tournament, having progressed in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2023.
The Leopards began the tournament with a 1-0 win over Benin before playing out a 1-1 draw with Senegal.
They sit level with Senegal on four points but are behind on goal difference.
With Benin close behind on three points, a draw and a total of five points would see DR Congo advance, at least as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams in group play should Benin win and they slip.
The two sides have met on five previous occasions, with DR Congo claiming two wins and the other three fixtures ending with the spoils shared. This will be their first ever clash at the continental showpiece.
By Nic Gleeson