### DR Congo Kicks Off AFCON 2025 with Narrow Victory Over Benin The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) commenced their campaign in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Benin. The match, held at Al Barid Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, saw DR Congo dominate possession and create numerous chances, but they only managed to convert one into a goal. Theo Bongonda's volley in the 16th minute proved decisive, as he capitalized on a defensive error from Benin. Despite the narrow scoreline, DR Congo's performance showcased their potential as they aim for success in the tournament. ### Breakdown of the Match and Performance 1. **Match Overview** - DR Congo secured a 1-0 win against Benin in their AFCON opener. - The only goal was scored by Theo Bongonda in the 16th minute after a defensive lapse by Benin [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/dr-congo-hold-beat-benin-144625808.html]. 2. **Game Dynamics** - DR Congo dominated possession and created several scoring opportunities. - Benin struggled to contain DR Congo's attacking threats, leading to a tense match filled with missed chances and late pressure from Benin [https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2025/12/23/soccer-congolese-dominate-but-only-beat-benin-1-0]. 3. **Key Player Performance** - Theo Bongonda was instrumental in the match, scoring the only goal and demonstrating skillful play throughout the game. - His goal came from a well-placed volley, showcasing his ability to capitalize on defensive mistakes [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3739955-congo-triumphs-in-afcon-opener-with-victory-over-benin]. ### Supporting Evidence and Statistics - **Match Statistics** - **Possession**: DR Congo held a significant advantage in possession, controlling the game for the majority of the match. - **Shots on Goal**: DR Congo had multiple shots on target, reflecting their offensive dominance despite the single goal. - **Defensive Errors**: The goal resulted from a defensive lapse by Benin, highlighting the importance of maintaining focus throughout the match [https://www.namibian.com.na/dr-congo-beat-benin-to-kick-off-cup-of-nations-bid]. ### Conclusion: A Promising Start for DR Congo In summary, **DR Congo's 1-0 victory over Benin marks a strong start to their AFCON 2025 campaign**. The match highlighted their potential as a competitive team in the tournament, driven by a solid performance from key players like Theo Bongonda. Moving forward, they will need to build on this momentum to advance further in the competition. 1. DR Congo's opening match was a narrow victory, but they showcased their dominance. 2. Theo Bongonda's goal was pivotal, stemming from a defensive error by Benin. 3. The team will need to convert more chances in future matches to ensure success in the tournament [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3739981-congo-triumphs-on-day-one-of-africa-cup-of-nations].