The AFCON 2025 group stage concludes for Group D tonight, Tuesday, December 30, 2025, with a clash of two teams at opposite ends of the emotional spectrum.1 While DR Congo (The Leopards) are eyeing a first-place finish to secure a favorable Round of 16 draw, the Botswana (The Zebras) are playing purely for pride, having already been mathematically eliminated.2
The match kicks off at the Al-Barid Stadium in Rabat, with the Leopards looking to continue their unbeaten run in Morocco.
Match Details
Competition: AFCON 2025 (Group D, Matchday 3)
Kick-off: 19:00 GMT / 20:00 Local / 22:00 EAT
Venue: Al-Barid Stadium, Rabat, Morocco
Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande (Benin)
Broadcast: beIN Sports / Canal+ / AfroSport TV
Group D Scenarios: The Fight for First
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| Senegal | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +3 | 4 |
| DR Congo | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4 |
| Benin | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Botswana (E) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -4 | 0 |
DR Congo: A win or a draw guarantees them a spot in the Round of 16.7 To finish 1st, they need to better Senegal's result or swing the goal difference in their favor (currently trailing by 2).
Botswana: Mathematically eliminated.9 They are playing to score their first goal and earn their first point of the tournament to avoid a repeat of their winless 2012 campaign
Current Form: Clinical Control vs. Scoring Woes
Botswana: Playing for Pride
The Zebras' return to the AFCON stage after 13 years has been a sobering experience. Following a 3–0 loss to Senegal and a narrow 1–0 defeat to Benin, they have yet to register a shot on target in this tournament. Coach Morena Ramoreboli has praised his team's defensive work rate, but their lack of offensive penetration has made them the first team sent home from Group D.
DR Congo: The Tournament Dark Horses
Under Sébastien Desabre, the Leopards have become one of the most disciplined units in Africa. They followed a professional 1–0 win over Benin with a gutsy 1–1 draw against holders Senegal.10 With veterans like Chancel Mbemba anchoring the defense and Cédric Bakambu leading the line, they are heavily favored to win tonight and carry momentum into the knockouts.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Botswana Team News
Botswana is expected to keep a core of their starting XI to give their veterans a final AFCON appearance. Mosha Gaolaolwe is set to earn his 100th cap in the heart of the defense.11
Key Player: Tumisang Orebonye.12 Despite the team's struggles, he remains their most likely goal threat on the counter
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Phoko; Velaphi, Gaolaolwe, Ditlhokwe, Johnson; Ditsele, Mohutsiwa; Ratshukudu, Orebonye, Seakanyeng; Kebatho.
DR Congo Team News
Desabre may make one forced change in defense as left-back Arthur Masuaku is a major doubt after picking up a knock against Senegal.14 Joris Kayembe is the primary candidate to step in.
Key Player: Théo Bongonda.16 His pace and creativity on the wing have been the catalyst for DRC's attack so far
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Mpasi; Kayembe, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Wan-Bissaka; Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Mukau; Elia, Bongonda, Bakambu.
Head-to-Head: A Historic Barrier
Botswana has a poor record against the Central African giants, having never scored a goal against them in a competitive fixture.
Historical Record: 5 Meetings — DR Congo (2 wins), 3 Draws.
Last Meeting: DR Congo 2–0 Botswana (June 2017).
Stat to Watch: Botswana has failed to score in four of their last five internationals.
Match Prediction
While Botswana will be desperate to go home with a goal, the gap in quality and experience is significant. DR Congo has the incentive to chase a high-scoring win to potentially steal the top spot from Senegal. The Leopards' defensive solidity (four clean sheets in their last six games) should keep Botswana at bay once again.
Final Score Prediction: Botswana 0–2 DR Congo
