DR Congo – Benin: a crucial start in an already tough group 
DR Congo and Benin kick off Group D of the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday afternoon at Al Barid Stadium. Senegal and Botswana follow; a strong opening can flip the group’s tone in a heartbeat.
DR Congo: high confidence and positive momentum 
DR Congo arrive in Morocco carrying a real sense of continuity. Semi-finalists last time, the Leopards have kept improving over the past months. Their World Cup qualifying run looked patchy at times, but recent results back them up.
Beating Cameroon and Nigeria in the intercontinental playoffs boosted Sébastien Desabre’s group. One win short of a historic World Cup ticket, DR Congo head in with a clear target and no shortage of belief.
The build-up ended with a convincing win over Zambia, extending a run to five straight wins. In that spell, the defence stood out: just one goal conceded. That kind of solidity often decides tournaments as tight as the Africa Cup.
Yoane Wissa’s absence grabs attention, but it doesn’t erase the attacking threat. Cedric Bakambu remains the go-to up front and will want to close in on Dieumerci Mbokani’s national scoring record.
Benin: a squad that needs reviving — and fast 
Benin are playing only their fifth Africa Cup. So far the Cheetahs have rarely left a lasting mark; the 2019 quarter-final was the exception. Gernot Rohr’s arrival as coach does bring hope of a fresh cycle.
The German knows the competition and how to manage these tournaments. The issue is current momentum. Their last two outings were heavy defeats to Nigeria and Burkina Faso, leaving the squad low on certainty.
Before those losses, Benin had three straight clean-sheet wins. That feels distant now, and the AFCON opener comes at a tricky time.
Steve Mounie will carry much of the attacking expectation. Two goals shy of Stéphane Sessègnon’s national record, the striker has to be ruthless to give his side a real chance. Young Dokou Dodo, increasingly established in midfield, could also play a key role.
Likely line-ups
DR Congo: Mpasi-Nzau, Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Masuaku, Mukau, Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Elia, Bakambu, Mbuku
Benin: Dandjinou, Kiki, Tijani, Verdon, Ouorou, Imourane, Dodo, Olaitan, Aloko, Mounie, Tosin
Key takeaways
- DR Congo arrive in very positive form.
- The Leopards’ defensive solidity is a major asset.
- Benin arrive after two heavy defeats.
- This opener can already tilt the group.
Football Prediction DR Congo vs Benin
DR Congo to win
Even without Wissa, DR Congo look better equipped and more stable as a unit. Against a Benin still rebuilding, the Leopards have a real chance to land the first blow and take control of the group.
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