Bongonda Strike Gives DR Congo Winning AFCON Start

Theo Bongonda scored the decisive goal as DR Congo began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a tense 1-0 victory over Benin in Rabat. The winger punished poor defending to lift the Leopards to the top of Group D ahead of the later meeting between Senegal and Botswana. Congo dominated early possession and took the lead when Arthur Masuaku’s long ball was misjudged by Benin’s defence, allowing Bongonda to finish calmly past Saturnin Allagbe.

Benin responded with spirit and enjoyed periods of pressure, but clear chances were limited as Doku Dodo headed wide and fired over before the break. Congo remained dangerous on the counter, with Cédric Bakambu denied by a fine block and later frustrated by a VAR decision that ruled out his second-half header. Benin pushed late unsuccessfully.