The 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations returns to action Saturday night at Tangier Grand Stadium, where former champions Senegal face off against two-time titleholders DR Congo.
Both teams raced to opening-match victories, setting up a high-stakes showdown where the winner secures an early ticket to the knockout rounds.
Senegal enters this clash under the heavy spotlight reserved for Africa’s most consistent teams. Since claiming their first AFCON crown in 2021, the Lions of Teranga have become a mainstay among the continent’s elite, regularly making deep tournament runs.
Senegal kicked off their 2025 AFCON journey in style on 23 December, sweeping aside Botswana 3–0 in their Group D opener. Nicolas Jackson bagged a brace, Cherif Ndiaye added a stoppage-time spark, and Senegal’s relentless attack left Botswana chasing shadows.
Senegal’s 17 shots on target and nine big chances against Botswana were both the most recorded by a team in an AFCON match since 2010, while Sadio Mane’s six shots on target in the same fixture were the most by an individual player at the tournament in that period.
In their six competitive matches leading into this encounter, Senegal had scored 23 goals and conceded 4, winning 5 and losing 1.
In September 2025, they defeated DR Congo 3–2 in Kinshasa after qualifying for the World Cup with wins over Sudan, South Sudan, and Mauritania. Their lone loss was a high-profile friendly against Brazil in November.
Head coach Pape Thiaw commands a squad that blends seasoned experience with attacking flair. Captain Kalidou Koulibaly anchors the defense, Idrissa Gueye and Pape Matar Sarr pull the strings in midfield, and up front, Jackson, Ismaila Sarr, and Mane weave movement and creativity.
Senegal sits atop Group D after their opening win, narrowly ahead of DR Congo on goal difference. Another triumph on Saturday would all but seal first place and a favorable draw for the knockouts.
Senegal has ruled their rivalry with DR Congo, winning six of nine encounters and drawing two. Their sole defeat came in their 1968 debut, while their most recent clash saw the Lions storm back from two goals down to seize a 3–2 World Cup qualifying victory.
DR Congo arrives with intent and a storied AFCON pedigree. The Leopards, champions in 1968 and 1974, have not claimed the trophy in recent years but remain a disciplined, dangerous threat to any rival.
DR Congo began their 2025 AFCON campaign with a gritty 1–0 victory over Benin on 23 December. Theo Bongonda’s first-half goal made the difference, while the Leopards’ steadfast defense ensured they stayed level with Senegal after the opening round.
Recent form has DR Congo brimming with belief: five wins and a draw in their last six, seven goals scored, and just one conceded. Their streak features World Cup qualifying victories over Togo and Sudan, and a dramatic penalty shootout win over Nigeria after a tense 1–1 playoff.
Head coach Sebastien Desabre has shaped a squad that fuses physicality with international know-how. Captain Chancel Mbemba teams up with Aaron Wan-Bissaka in defense, while Cedric Bakambu and Fiston Mayele bring pace and cunning to spring counter-attacks.
Defensive discipline has been the backbone of DR Congo’s recent surge, with five clean sheets in their last six outings. Their knack for protecting narrow leads will be put to the test against Senegal’s rapid, free-flowing attack.
DR Congo, like Senegal, understands the high stakes of this Group D battle. With a knockout berth at stake, a strong result against their West African rivals would send a statement and edge them closer to the next round.
Their recent World Cup qualifier, a 3–2 Senegal victory in Kinshasa, serves as the perfect preview for this encounter. Despite the defeat, DR Congo’s commanding first half showed they can match Senegal stride for stride when fully focused.
