DR Congo and Benin kick off the action in Group D this Tuesday in Rabat, with the Leopards aiming to build on their impressive 2023 run against a Benin side that has become a recurring thorn in their side in recent years.
After reaching the semi-finals in Ivory Coast, DR Congo enters the Moroccan edition as one of the genuine title contenders, boasting a squad packed with European pedigree.
For the Cheetahs of Benin, under the experienced guidance of Gernot Rohr, the goal is to navigate a tricky group and prove they belong among the continent’s elite once again.
Match details: Time and Venue
The clash serves as the opening act of the Group D schedule, taking place in the heart of the Moroccan capital as the tournament’s festive atmosphere continues to build.
- Date: Tuesday, 23 December 2025
- Kick-off: 17:00 GMT (18:00 local time)
- Venue: Stade El Barid, Rabat
How to watch the game globally
The 2025 edition of AFCON is being broadcast to a record 180 territories. Fans can follow the action through the following major providers:
- UK: Channel 4 (Free-to-air) on 4Seven, E4, and the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel.
- USA & Canada: Exclusive coverage on beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS en Español. Streaming is available via Fubo, Sling TV, and Fanatiz.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport (English/Portuguese) and Canal+ Afrique (French). New World TV also provides coverage across 46 countries.
- North Africa & MENA: beIN SPORTS MENA is the primary rights holder.
- South Africa: Every game is available for free on SABC and the SABC+ app.
- Australia & NZ: Live and exclusive on beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
- Europe: Various partners including Movistar (Spain), Ziggo Sport (Netherlands), SportDigital (Germany/Austria/Switzerland), and DAZN (Italy).
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Team news
DR Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre has maintained the core of the team that surprised many in 2023, emphasizing a high-pressing, vertical style of play. The Leopards arrived in Morocco in fine form, spearheaded by captain Chancel Mbemba, who remains the bedrock of their defense.
The big news for the Congolese is the fitness of Yoane Wissa; the Brentford attacker is expected to start on the left, while Simon Banza is tipped to lead the attack ahead of Cédric Bakambu. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, having recently committed his international future to the Leopards, is expected to make his tournament debut at right-back.
Benin, meanwhile, have become a tactically disciplined unit under Gernot Rohr. The Cheetahs rely heavily on the veteran presence of Steve Mounié up front to hold up play and provide an aerial threat. In midfield, Dokou Dodo has emerged as a rising star, tasked with disrupting the Congolese rhythm. Benin will, however, be without defender Olivier Verdon, who is sidelined with a late injury.
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Familiar foes
While DR Congo enters as the favourite, the recent history between these two nations suggests a much tighter affair. The sides met during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, with Benin proving notoriously difficult to beat.
Their last competitive meeting ended in a narrow Congolese victory, but the Leopards have often found Benin’s low block difficult to penetrate. Coach Sébastien Desabre is wary of the challenge:
“We respect Benin; they are a team that knows how to suffer and stay in the game. But we have a clear objective here in Morocco. We want to start with three points to set the tone for our tournament.”
Benin showing up to #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 with high hopes ✨
How far will their story go? 🇧🇯 pic.twitter.com/17km5Ovls4
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 21, 2025
Group D: Opening fixtures
| Match | Venue | Time (GMT) |
| DR Congo vs Benin | Rabat | 17:00 |
| Senegal vs Botswana | Rabat | 20:00 |
