DR Congo vs Benin: Bakambu Misses After Disallowed Goal | AFCON 2023

High foot of the Beninese defender on the ankle of Noah Sadiki. Bakambu’s header from the free kick is then calmly captured by Saturnin Allagbe.

That’s it, the referee has just made the Var sign to indicate that the problems were resolved. It’s certainly a good leg for the Beninese who would have deserved to get a penalty… at the time when the Var was no longer working.

Almost 10 minutes after coming into play, Romaric Amoussou was in turn sanctioned by the referee of the match. This is already the fifth yellow card.

The referee is still explaining with his assistants, the communication problem with the VAR assistance seems to continue.

The only scorer (for the moment) of the match Théo Bongonda is replaced by Meshack Elia while Joris Kayembe comes into play in place of Arthur Masuaku.

Ouorou has just launched a powerful strike which passes not very far from Lionel Mpasi’s goals. Benin is slowly getting closer to an equalizer but we need to be even more precise to achieve it.

The former Marseillais is warned for having pushed Roche to the ground while the Beninese were going on goal.

During this time, Dossou gave way to Amoussou.

There is a little moment of uncertainty, we don’t really understand what happened, but it seems that the referee indicated to the captains of both teams a problem with the video assistance.

The Leopards can breathe because the referee can no longer return to the action, but we reviewed the images of the Beninese free kick a few minutes ago and there was definitely a hand in the DRC area.

Scorer Théo Bongonda’s cross flies past everyone into the area! Saturnin Allagbe recovers the ball and restarts with his defense.

And he even gets a good free kick after Masuaku steps on Aloko’s foot. After the huge warning of the disallowed goal, the Cheetahs had a great opportunity to come back… but it was missed.

Warned in the first period, Edo Kayembe gives way to young Lille player Ngalayel Mukau on the DRC side.

Dossou is the third player of the match warned by the referee, the first on the Beninese side. The free kick is repelled with his fists by Saturnin Allagbe.

The Beninese kick off the second half. No change on either side.

Morocco, Mali, Egypt, Tunisia, Senegal, Algeria… Do you want to know more about all of the 24 teams involved in CAN 2025? Go to this very complete link with everything you need to know about nations.

Just before the break, Tosin strikes in turn and he doesn’t hit the target either. But it was still feverish on the Leopards side on this last action.

What an action by Imourane! He eliminates one then two Congolese players before entering the axis and striking… but his shot is absolutely off target and goes over Mpasi’s goals.

At the far post, Rodolfo Aloko completely misses his recovery in the hope of worrying Lionel Mpasi. The Le Havre goalkeeper will recover the ball and give some breathing room to his team which has been suffering for a few minutes.

We are getting closer to half-time and the Beninese have a great opportunity to come back to level with the DRC. The Leopards have difficulty getting out of their camp and leave the ball to Benin. Be careful not to endure too much so as not to break down before the break.

D’Almeida recovers the fault after being pushed by Bakambu, the Cheetahs keep the ball but it is difficult to make good use of it.

Edo Kayembe is the second player warned of the match, after his teammate Moutoussamy, for an elbow in Ouorou’s face.

Cédric Bakambu calls for a foul after his breakthrough into the Beninese half, but the referee allows the game to play. On the other side, it is Nathanaël Mbuku who is this time sanctioned for his tackle on Moumini. No card, but the ball is returned to Benin.

Noah Sadiki receives another foul, outside the area along the goal line, but it does nothing for the Congolese.

The Montpellier man receives treatment after a tampon with Aloko. The game will resume with Mbuku.

The Beninese are clearly struggling to do something with the ball, they have not worried Lionel Mpasi until then.

It is Samuel Moutoussamy, the former Nantais player, who is penalized for a delayed tackle on Dossou.

Mbuku calls for something for a foul in the area, the referee does not flinch and finally the DR Congo obtains a new free kick, but off-centre.

Noah Sadiki eliminates Moumini with a nice little bridge but again, Saturnin Allagbe extends to capture the center. The Congolese are pushing to try to create danger.

Dossou is penalized for a foul on Théo Bongonda, this results in a free kick in the middle but rather off-center for Congo.

The ball is recovered by Benin but the Leopards slowly but surely begin to settle around the Beninese area, without being dangerous.

Serene, the Beninese goalkeeper comes out perfectly on Nathanaël Mbuku’s center.

Gernot Rohr’s men have had the ball for a few minutes, even if they haven’t done much with the ball in the opposing camp so far.

Arthur Masuaku takes care of it for the Leopards, but it does nothing and Benin recovers a touch.

The 22 players entered the field. We start with the anthem of the Republic of Congo.

Do not hesitate to read episode 2 of our series “My CAN to me” dedicated to the French Olympic heavyweight boxing champion, Tony Yoka, fan of the Leopards.

Qualified for the intercontinental play-offs of the 2026 World Cup in March thanks to their success in the African play-offs, the Leopards will first have to concentrate on this crucial deadline in Morocco. Fourth in the last CAN, they are defending a semi-final and will aim for at least a similar result this year.

Allagbe – Ouorou, Roche, Verdon, Moumini – Imourane, D’Almeida – Tosin, Dodo, Dossou – Aloko

Pasi – Masuaku, tuanzebe, scene, wan-bissaka – Moutoussy – Mbuku, Kayembe, Sadiki, Bongonda – Bakambu

If the Leopards are not among the big favorites in the same way as Morocco, Ivory Coast or even Senegal, they will still be keen to do as well as during the last edition in 2024 where they reached the last four, before being eliminated by the crowned Ivorians.

Benin, DR Congo, Senegal, Botswana… Find right here the complete schedule for Group D of the competition which begins this Tuesday, two days after the big debut of CAN 2025 and the victory of the Moroccan host country.