Democratic Republic of Congo overpowered Botswana to secure a 3-0 victory in Rabat, confirming their place in the knockout stages of a fifth consecutive African Cup of Nations (AFCON), but the win wasn’t enough to secure top spot in Group D.
2025 Africa Cup of Nations
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Match Report
Already eliminated and scoreless in the tournament, Botswana struggled to assert themselves in the first half, as wave after wave of Leopards attacks put them under pressure.
The first major opportunity fell to Meschak Elia in the six-yard box, but he couldn’t get a clean connection on his shot, and Goitseone Phoko was able to make a smart reflex save as a result.
Charles Pickel then came close with a curled shot from the edge of the area, but it whistled just wide of Phoko’s post.
The opener felt inevitable and ultimately came just after the half-hour mark, after a majestic backheel from Gael Kakuta opened up the defence, allowing Nathanael Mbuku to emphatically finish at the near post.
The pressure continued to mount as D.R. Congo pushed for a second, and they had the chance to double the lead five minutes before half-time when a VAR review punished Thabo Leinanyane’s handball in the area.
Kakuta was made to wait before taking the resultant spot-kick, but he showed his class to calmly pick out the top corner to make it 2-0 going into the interval.
With results elsewhere ensuring that goal difference would decide the group, D.R. Congo had to keep their foot on the gas after the break.
Botswana couldn’t deal with Kakuta, and he struck again in the 60th minute, finishing from close range after good work from Theo Bongonda, who got to the byline and cut it back into the six-yard box.
Fiston Mayele thought he had added a fourth goal only for VAR to intervene after he headed the ball onto his arm before hitting the net, and D.R. Congo had to be content with second place in the group as they finished behind Senegal on goal difference.
Botswana, meanwhile, bow out of just their second-ever appearance at an AFCON finals without having scored a goal.
Line-ups
Botswana XI: Mosha Gaolaolwe, Kabelo Seakanyeng, Segolame Boy, Goitseone Phoko, Gilbert Baruti, Thabang Sesinyi, Thabo Leinanyane, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Gape Edwin Mohutsiwa, Mothusi Johnson, Mothusi Cooper
Subs: Kabelo Dambe, Lebogang Ditsile, Keoagile Kgosipula, Omaatla Kebatho, Tumisang Orebonye, Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Alford Velaphi, Chicco Molefe, Godiraone Modingwane, Monty Enosa, Tebogo Kopelang, Olebogeng Ramotse, Thabo Maponda, Shanganani Nganda, Losika Ratshukudu
Democratic Republic of the Congo XI: Kakuta, Lionel Mpasi-Nzau, Mbemba, Kayembe, Gédéon Kalulu, Charles Pickel, Meschack Elia, Rocky Bushiri, Nathanaël Mbuku, Fiston Mayele, Ngal'ayel Mukau
Subs: Bakambu, Théo Bongonda, Dylan Batubinsika, Moutoussamy, Simon Banza, Samuel Essende, Tuanzebe, Wan-Bissaka, Edo Kayembe, Timothy Fayulu, Steve Kapuadi, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Brian Cipenga, Matthieu Epolo, Noah Sadiki