Senegal and DR Congo prepare for a heavyweight showdown this Saturday in Tangier, with both sides aiming to secure early qualification for the knockout stages following clinical Matchday 1 victories.
The Lions of Teranga sit at the summit of Group D after a dominant 3-0 dismantling of Botswana, while the Leopards of DR Congo currently occupy second place following their hard-fought 1-0 win over Benin. For the winner of this clash, a spot in the Round of 16 will be guaranteed with a game to spare.
Match details: Time and Venue
The fixture is the headline act of the Group D schedule, moving the action to the northern coast of Morocco as two tournament favorites collide.
- Date: Saturday, 27 December 2025
- Kick-off: 16:00 GMT (17:00 local time)
- Venue: Grand Stade de Tanger, Tangier
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How to watch the game globally
With global interest peaking for this top-of-the-table clash, the match will be available through major international broadcasters:
- Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport (English/Portuguese) and Canal+ Afrique (French).
- North Africa & MENA: beIN SPORTS MENA.
- South Africa: SABC and the SABC+ app.
- Australia & NZ: beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
- UK: Channel 4 (Free-to-air) and the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel.
- USA & Canada: beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS en Español; streaming via Fubo and Fanatiz.
Team news
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has nearly a full-strength squad at his disposal. The big boost for the Lions is the return of West Ham full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, who is available again after serving a suspension. Nicolas Jackson, currently the tournament’s joint-top scorer after his brace against Botswana, will lead the line alongside the legendary Sadio Mané. The only notable absentee remains Assane Diao, who was ruled out before the tournament began.
Harmony. Flow. Goal.
That’s how the pride plays. 🇸🇳❤️#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WePlayDifferent pic.twitter.com/wO2qXFACtg— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 23, 2025
DR Congo, under Sébastien Desabre, continues to rely on a sturdy defensive foundation. Captain Chancel Mbemba and West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be tasked with shackling Senegal’s explosive attack. In the final third, Théo Bongonda enters the match in fine form after scoring the winner against Benin, while veteran Cédric Bakambu is expected to start as he searches for his first goal of the campaign.
The “Champion” Omen
While Senegal has dominated the recent head-to-head record—unbeaten in their last eight meetings with the Leopards—history suggests that a DR Congo victory could be a significant tournament signal.
The last two teams to defeat Senegal in their second group-stage match (Zambia in 2012 and Algeria in 2019) both went on to lift the AFCON trophy. The Leopards, two-time champions themselves (1968 and 1974), are looking to replicate that feat.
However, Senegal’s historical dominance is clear: they have won six of the eleven total meetings between the two, including a dramatic 3-2 victory in World Cup qualifying just three months ago.
Coach Pape Thiaw remains wary of the challenge:
“We saw what DR Congo did in the last edition and how they started against Benin. They are organized and physical. We have three points, but our mission in Tangier isn’t finished. We play every game as if it’s a final.”
