Senegal, favorite of the competition with the Moroccan host, finished first in its group, thus avoiding facing Algeria in the round of 16 of CAN-2025, thanks to its 3-0 victory over Benin on Tuesday in Tangier.
Qualified before the start of their matches, Senegal, Benin and the DRC, opposed to Botswana (3-0), already eliminated, in Rabat, played to know their opponent in the round of 16. Senegal and the DRC, 4 points each before the 3rd day, competed, from a distance, for first place in the group, especially wishing to avoid finishing second and thus facing Algeria in the eighth. And in this breathtaking cross-match, it was the Congolese Leopards who struck first, opening the score half an hour into the game thanks to Montpellier striker Nathanaël Mbuku (1-0, 31st). Senegal, long held by a solid Beninese team, responded in the 38th minute with a free kick from Krépin Diatta headed victoriously by Abdoulaye Seck (1-0, 38th). With a better goal difference, thanks to their inaugural 3-0 success over Botswana, the Lions of Teranga then took back first place from the Congolese.
With a double (41st sp, 60th) from veteran Gaël Kakuta, 34 years old, the man with 14 clubs during his career, the DRC caught up on goal average and for a few minutes, first place in the group would have been decided by draw. But Habib Diallo, receiving a cross from Sadio Mané, gave Senegal a goal back (2-0, 62nd) and Ibrahim Mbaye, the Parisian titi with three decisive returns, dampened the last Congolese hopes by overwhelming the entire Beninese defense and causing a penalty converted by Cherif Ndiaye (3-0, 90+7).
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Senegal finishes first and will face the 3rd in Group E, either Sudan or Burkina Faso, on Saturday in Tangier. It will be without its captain Kalidou Koulibaly, expelled on Tuesday. The DRC inherits Algeria which it will face on Tuesday in Rabat, while third-placed Benin will challenge Mohamed Salah’s Egypt on Monday in Agadir.
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