AFCON 2025: DR Congo delay Senegal's qualification in 1-1 draw

An animated first half dominated by Senegal
In this big clash of Group D, it is the DRC that played the leading roles, under the gaze of its musical icons Awilo Logomba and Youssoupha, who came to attend this prestigious match in a Grand Stadium of Tangier full to the brim. The Leopards, as usual entered the match thunderously and quickly got a big opportunity in the first quarter of an hour of play.

Sébastien Desabre thought his team validated their best time after Wan Bisaka’s goal, but it will be invalided for an irregular position. The last half-hour of the first period will be one-sided with Senegal that regained the upper hand, without however being effective in front of goal.

Nicolas Jackson who was in the same position as his first goal against Botswana will miss his recovery of the left in the 22nd minute of play. Ismaila Sarr will also fail a routine ten minutes later. After these two big missed opportunities, the offensive leader of the Lions, Sadio Mané decided to take matters into his own hands on a free kick at the edge of the penalty area, but he will slightly miss the target.

Sadio Mané, again will be at the helm on the last action of the first half. The Senegalese No. 10 finds Illiman Ndiaye putting Pape Gueye back in touch, but the latter’s curling shot is pushed into corner by Mpasi and the two teams left goalless at the break.

The Leopards hit first, the Lions roar back
The DR Congo returned with a sharp start, making an impact on the first duels and seeking to evolve into a counter-attack to hurt Senegal. The first big situation of this second half was to their credit with a big hit by Noah Sadiki but he was locked in by Edouard Mendy at  the 53rd minute.

The goalkeeper of Al-Ahli will however be powerless eight seconds later (61st) after Cédric Bakambu taps into the net that he misclears on a shot from Théo Bongonda. . But as in Kinshasa in September in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, it will be a joy of short duration.

Pape Thiaw decided to bring in the young Ibrahim Mbaye to revitalize the attack on Senegal. The latter will quickly put himself in evidence after performing a paid pressing on the first restart of the Leopards and retrieve a ball to then force Lionel Mpasi to work with a save. The latter pushed the ball into the feet of Sadio Mané who did not hesitate to equalize in the 69th minute.

Despite opportunities for the two nations, neither managed to make the difference and they separated on this parity score (1-1). But Senegal remains the leader of the Group with a better goal difference (3) ahead of DRC even if the two countries have the same number of points (4). Benin won 1-0 against Botswana earlier in the day and is directly behind bot teams with 3 points. A win for Benin on the final match day could see either Senegal or DR Congo take an early shower.