Chancel Mangulu Mbemba of DR Congo celebrates goal during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Botswana and DR Congo at El Barid Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on 30 December 2025 ©Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix
Tuesday Dec 30, 2025. 21:09
DR Congo blew Botswana away as they claimed a 3-0 win in their third and final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D match, which was played at the Al Medina Stadium, on Tuesday night.
As a result, the Leopards progressed to the Round of 16 as Group D runners-up and they will face Algeria at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium on January 6. However, the Zebras, who came into the match having already been eliminated, returned home after finishing fourth in the Group D standings.
The Zebras were on the backfoot from the start, with Goitseone Phoko forced to make early saves to deny Fiston Mayele and Gael Kakuta in the opening 15 minutes. However, Botswana’s number one goalkeeper was beaten in the 31st minute as the Leopards deservedly opened the scoring.
The troublesome Kakuta’s backheel pass found Nathanael Mbuku, who poked the ball home to hand DR Congo a 1-0 lead. The Leopards were enjoying a 2-0 lead at the interval in Rabat after Kakuta converted a penalty, which was awarded in the 39th minute following a Thabo Leinanyana handball in the box.
Kakuta continued to torment the Zebras’ defence after the restart and he grabbed his third goal contribution of the night. Theo Bongonda set up Kakuta and the former France under-21 international fired past Phoko to make it 3-0 to DR Congo, who were running rampant against a hapless Botswana side.
The Leopards did not take their foot off the pedal in the latter stages of the match. Michel-Ange Balikwisha dribbled past several Botswana defenders, but he was denied by Phoko, who made his fourth save on the night to ensure that the game ended in a 3-0 win in favour of DR Congo.
Botswana (0) 0
DR Congo (2) 3 (Mbuku 31′, Kakuta 41′ 60′)
DR Congo: Lionel M’Pasi N’Zau – Joris Kayembe, Rocky Bushiri, Chancel Mbemba, Gedeon Kalulu Kyatengwa, Charles Pickel (Sadiki 74′), Meschak Elia (Balikwisha 57′), Gaël Kakuta (Essende 74′), Nathanael Mbuku (Bongonda 57′), Ngal’ayel Mukau, Fiston Mayele (Cipenga 89′)