Senegal and DR Congo sent a clear message to the rest of the competition as both sides recorded emphatic 3–0 victories on the final day of Group D action at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, underlining their credentials heading into the knockout stage.
In Tangiers, defending champions Senegal showcased composure, resilience, and clinical finishing to brush aside Benin and secure top spot in the group.
Abdoulaye Seck opened the scoring in the 38th minute, towering highest to head home Krépin Diatta’s precise set-piece delivery, capping off a dominant first-half performance from the Teranga Lions.
Benin emerged from the break with renewed urgency, forcing Édouard Mendy into action through efforts from Aiyegun Tosin and Junior Olaïtan, but Senegal’s defensive organisation held firm. Their control was rewarded again in the 62nd minute when Sadio Mané turned creator, threading a clever pass into the path of Habib Diallo, who finished neatly from close range to double the lead.
Drama struck in the 71st minute when captain Kalidou Koulibaly received a red card following a VAR review, leaving Senegal to manage the final stretch with ten men.
Benin pushed forward desperately, but Mendy remained assured. Deep into stoppage time, Senegal put the result beyond doubt as substitute Cherif Ndiaye converted a 97th-minute penalty after Ibrahim Mbaye was fouled, sealing a commanding win. Senegal finish as group leaders, while Benin still advance as one of the best third-placed sides.
Meanwhile in Rabat, DR Congo delivered a ruthless and controlled performance to dispatch Botswana and secure second place in the group — and a tantalising Round of 16 showdown with Algeria. Gael Kakuta produced a sensational display, directly involved in all three goals as the Leopards dominated from start to finish.
Kakuta’s audacious backheel released Nathaniel Mbuku to slot home the opener in the 31st minute after sustained Congolese pressure. Moments before halftime, VAR confirmed a handball inside the area, and Kakuta calmly converted the penalty to double the advantage.
DR Congo refused to ease off after the break. Kakuta struck again on the hour mark, expertly controlling Theo Bongonda’s delivery before placing a composed finish to complete his brace. A fourth appeared briefly on the horizon when Fiston Mayele found the net, but VAR chalked it off for handball.
Botswana, already eliminated, struggled to find any foothold as DR Congo managed the match with maturity and composure to close out a statement victory.
With Senegal and DR Congo both firing confidently, Group D concludes with power, control, and a sense that the knockout stage could deliver something special.