AFCON 2025 Matchday 1 Preview & Predictions

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DR Congo vs Benin Predictions - DR Congo to secure victory in AFCON clash

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 23 Dec 2025

John Eastwood 23 Dec 2025

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DR Congo set to win against Benin with a strong squad.
Prediction: DR Congo to secure a 'win to nil'.
Head-to-head, DR Congo's recent form has been impressive.

Expired

DR Congo won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1968 and 1974 (Getty)

DR Congo vs Benin Predictions

DR Congo have a good squad of players and are on the verge of also qualifying for the FIFA World Cup. I expect their quality to shine through with a win to nil.

DR Congo vs Benin Predictions
Head to Head
DR Congo Form & Predicted Lineup
Benin Form & Predicted Line Up

DR Congo have won to nil in 4 of their last 5 matches.
Benin have lost by 3+ goals in their last 2 matches.
Benin have lost to nil in 4 of their last 7 matches.

Head to Head

In two previous encounters, DR Congo won one while the other ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

DR Congo Form & Predicted Lineup

DR Congo had a strong World Cup qualifying campaign, finishing second in group B to reach the second round. Chancel Mbemba scored in added time to secure a 1-0 victory over Cameroon in the semi-finals.

The Leopards outplayed Nigeria in the final but had to do it the hard way following a 1-1 draw. The contest went to penalties where they prevailed to qualify for the inter-confederation play-offs.

Sebastien Desabre’s side beat Zambia 2-0 in a friendly before AFCON, defenders Arthur Masuaku and Rocky Bushiri finding the net.

DR Congo finished fourth in the previous edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, winning the tournament in 1968 and 1974.

DR Congo (4-3-3) Lionel Mpasi Nzau; Aaron Wan Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku; Ngal Ayel Mukau, Samuel Moutoussamy, Noah Sadiki; Meschack Elia, Cedric Bakambu, Nathanael Mbuku

Benin Form & Predicted Line Up

Benin went desperately close in the World Cup qualifiers, missing out on the second round on goal difference.

Gernot Rohr’s side lost 4-0 in Nigeria on the final matchday, finishing third in group C, one point behind South Africa.

The Cheetahs played one game in Morocco to warm up for AFCON, losing 3-0 against Burkina Faso.

Benin have only got past the AFCON group stage once, in 2019.

Benin (4-3-3) Saturnin Allagbe; Yohan Roche, Olivier Verdon, Rachid Moumini, David Kiki; Dokou Dodo, Sessi Dalmeida, Hassane Imourane; Jodel Dossou, Aiyegun Tosin, Rodolfo Aloko

Verdict

DR Congo v Benin

DR Congo were too good for Cameroon and Nigeria in the World Cup qualifiers and should be able to shut Benin down. I am backing the Leopards to win to nil in Rabat.

DR Congo Win

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DR Congo Win 1-0

Correct Score

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