Senegal - DR Congo: Match Preview and Prediction

December 27, 2025. 22:00. Tangier. Grand Stadium
Group Stage. Group D. Round 2

Senegal - DR Congo

Where to watch: MEGOGO

Injured: None

Senegal - DR Congo: Betting Odds

The second round of the group stage of the African Cup of Nations in Group D will take place on Saturday. The two group leaders will meet in Tangier, at the Grand Stadium, when Senegal plays against DR Congo. Both teams started with a clean sheet, meaning a win here could secure a place for one of them in the knockout stages.

Senegal

In the previous edition of the tournament, Senegal fulfilled the dreams of generations of their players by finally winning the Africa Cup of Nations, defeating the continent's most decorated team, Egypt, on penalties. But their title defence did not go as planned, with the Lions of Teranga being knocked out in the round of 16 by eventual winners Ivory Coast, again on penalties. The tournament marked the end of Aliou Cisse's nine-year reign as manager. Another local specialist, Pape Thiau, will take charge from 2024. And it's fair to say his efforts are paying off.

Senegal cruised through their AFCON qualifying group with ease, dropping just two points and conceding just one goal. They were equally dominant in World Cup qualifying, drawing three of their ten matches, the rest a win, to secure their third successive finals. Now it was time to shine in the tournament itself, and they started strongly. A 3-0 win over Botswana was one of the standout performances of the opening round, not just in terms of the scoreline but also in the overall game. Jackson's brace, complemented by Ndiaye's goal, came at a time when their opponents were creating few real chances. Thiau's men had 17 shots on target, with Mane alone scoring six - the best individual tally at AFCON since 2010.

The result reflects a wider trend in Senegal's performance. The Lions of Teranga have won five and lost just one of their last six games, scoring 23 goals and conceding four. That streak includes World Cup qualifying wins over Sudan, South Sudan and Mauritania, as well as a dramatic 3-2 away comeback against DR Congo in Kinshasa in September 2025. That day they reduced the deficit to two goals. Their only defeat came in a friendly against Brazil in November. Senegal have faced DR Congo nine times, winning six and drawing twice. Their only defeat came in their first meeting at the 1968 Africa Cup of Nations. The Congolese can boast two Africa Cup of Nations titles, although those successes are buried deep in the last century - victories in 1968 and 1974. But the current generation of Leopards look set to make a splash, even if they don't quite repeat history. At the last Africa Cup of Nations, DR Congo reached the semi-finals before losing in the bronze medal match. The federation retained coach Sebastien Desabres, a French specialist, after the tournament. And things have been improving for the Leopards of late. Qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was no problem, although Tanzania put them under pressure to fight for first place, finishing just one point behind. This is their second consecutive appearance at the continental tournament after missing out in 2021.

More importantly for DR Congo, they are on the verge of their second ever appearance at the World Cup finals. They achieved this feat in 1974 as Zaire. Desabre's team fell two points behind Senegal for direct qualification but were among the best performers in the runners-up. They defeated World Cup regulars Cameroon and Nigeria in the play-offs and will now face the winner of New Caledonia vs. Jamaica for a place in the final next March.

The Leopards began their journey to AFCON 2025 with a win that was not as convincing as their win over Senegal, but Bongonda's goal secured the three points. Even a defeat against the group favourites would leave DR Congo in a strong position heading into the last 16, where they face group underdogs Botswana. Defensive discipline has been a hallmark of their recent games - their ability to hold on to a slim lead and contain their opponents has resulted in five clean sheets. That approach is likely to be tested against Senegal's fluid, high-tempo attack. Their last match against Senegal ended in a disappointing defeat after squandering a two-goal lead, but they managed to draw against them in another World Cup qualifier. A similar result would now effectively secure Desabre's side a place in the knockout stages.

Senegal v DR Congo: Predicted Line-ups

The loss of Assan Diao ahead of the tournament remains Senegal's only concern. On the positive side, El-Hadji Malik Diouf is back from suspension. DR Congo could also field their strongest squad.

Senegal's possible starting line-up:

Mendy; Diatta, Coulibaly, Niahate, Diouf; I. Geiye, P. Geiye, Ndiaye; Mane, I. Sarr, Jackson

DR Congo's possible starting line-up:

Mpasi-Nzau; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Masuaku; Mutoussami, Sadiki, Kayembe; Bongonda, Mbokani, Bakambu

Senegal - DR Congo: Author's Prediction

Both teams play great defense, so don't expect a goal celebration here. I think the match will end in a draw or a narrow victory for Senegal.