The Democratic Republic of Congo delivered a masterclass performance this Tuesday, defeating Botswana 3-0 at the Al-Barid Stadium in Rabat. With this result, Sébastien Desabre’s men confirmed their status as one of the most formidable teams in the tournament, finishing the group stage unbeaten and securing the first place in Group D ahead of Senegal.

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From the opening whistle, the "Leopards" took control of the game, exploiting the defensive gaps of a Botswana side that struggled to keep up with the pace. The deadlock was broken in the 31st minute by Nathanael Mbuku, who finished a slick team move with a precise low shot. Just before the halftime whistle, the veteran Gael Kakuta doubled the lead from the penalty spot, sending the Congolese fans into a frenzy and leaving the "Zebras" with a mountain to climb.

Clinical Finish and Defensive Solidarity

The second half followed a similar pattern. While Botswana tried to find a consolation goal to end their tournament on a high note, the Congolese defense, led by Chancel Mbemba, remained impenetrable. The final blow came late in the match when Fiston Mayele capitalized on a rebound inside the box to make it 3-0, putting the game completely out of reach.

For Botswana, the defeat marks a disappointing end to their AFCON 2025 campaign, as they leave the competition without scoring a single goal. In contrast, DR Congo moves into the Round of 16 with massive momentum and a clear message to their rivals: they are serious title contenders. The Leopards will now wait to discover their opponent for the next round, as they look to replicate their deep run from the previous edition.

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