AFCON 2025: Coach Desabre Sees Senegal as Favorites, But DRC Aims For a Third AFCON Title

The draw for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 took place on Monday, January 27 in Rabat, placing DR Congo in Group D alongside Senegal, Benin and Botswana.

Dieudonné Sambi Nsele Lutu, president of FECOFA, acknowledged the group's difficulties but remained hopeful as he expressed his joy with the draw. Benin was previously an AFCON contender, while Senegal, a World Cup 2026 qualifier, is a familiar rival. He warned against underestimating Botswana, a side that's improving.

DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre named Senegal as the group's favourites, complimenting their formidable team. He mentioned their expected rematch in Kinshasa in September and their 1–1 tie in Dakar last June. Desabre maintains his confidence in the face of the difficulty, pointing to his team's flawless AFCON 2025 qualification record 8 victories from 8 games.

The Leopards, who've won the AFCON twice 1968 & 1974, are looking for a 3rd victory after falling in the AFCON 2024 quarterfinals. The president of FECOFA stressed the need of taking each game seriously in order to achieve this goal.

Morocco will host AFCON 2025 from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.