Africa Cup Of Nations | Tuesday December 30 | Group D
- Senegal 3-0 Benin
- DR Congo 3-0 Botswana
When it mattered most, Senegal looked every bit the champions. Needing a win to stay in control of Group D, the Lions of Teranga swept aside Benin 3–0 on Tuesday night to finish top and steer clear of a dangerous early meeting with Algeria.
The task was simple but unforgiving. Anything short of victory would have allowed the Democratic Republic of the Congo to leapfrog them on goal difference.
Senegal answered with calm authority, producing a performance that spoke of experience and belief.
The breakthrough arrived seven minutes before halftime. Abdoulaye Seck rose above the Benin defence to meet Krépin Diatta’s teasing free kick, nodding home a goal that settled Senegal’s nerves.
After the break, Sadio Mané turned provider, cutting through Benin’s back line and squaring for Habib Diallo to double the lead just after the hour.
There was a moment of tension when captain Kalidou Koulibaly was sent off following a VAR review, but even with ten men Senegal never lost control.
In stoppage time, Chérif Ndiaye calmly converted a penalty in the 97th minute to seal a convincing win.
In Rabat, the DRC did everything within their power, thrashing already-eliminated Botswana 3–0.
Gaël Kakuta inspired the victory, setting up Nathanael Mbuku with a clever back-heel before scoring twice himself.
For a while, the arithmetic grew nervy as another Congolese goal threatened to level all the tiebreakers.
Senegal’s late penalty ended that suspense. Both sides finished on seven points, but Senegal topped the group by a two-goal margin.
The payoff is clear. Senegal remain in Tangier for a last-16 tie on Saturday against the third-placed team from Group E either Burkina Faso or Sudan.
The DRC face a far tougher route, starting with 2019 champions Algeria next Tuesday, and potentially Nigeria beyond.
Benin, despite the loss, also move on. Their earlier 1–0 win over Botswana earned enough points to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, sending them into the knockout rounds for only the second time.
Group D standings
Their reward is a daunting date with Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in Agadir on Monday.
