In a highly anticipated match, Senegal will face the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) in their second Group D fixture of the AFCON 2025 qualifier. The game is scheduled for 27 December at the Grand Stade de Tanger, with kick-off at 16:00 local time (15:00 GMT). Both teams enter this match with a victory in their opening games, making it crucial for securing a place in the knockout stages.
Historical Context: Senegal vs DR Congo
This match marks the 11th encounter between Senegal and DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Senegal leads the head-to-head record with six victories compared to DR Congo’s two, along with two draws. The last eight meetings have seen Senegal remain unbeaten with six wins and two draws.
Previous Encounters
- 1968: DR Congo 2 – 1 Senegal (AFCON group stage)
- 2002: Senegal 2 – 0 DR Congo (AFCON quarter-finals)
- Most recent friendly: 1969, DR Congo 4 – 0 Senegal
Senegal won their last match against DR Congo in the quarter-finals of the 2002 AFCON, advancing to their first final, where they became runners-up to Cameroon. In their most recent World Cup qualifying clashes, the teams played to a 1-1 draw in June 2024 and Senegal won 3-2 in September 2025.
Key Statistics: Senegal
- Senegal recorded a dominant 3-0 win over Botswana in their opening match.
- They have now won their opening game in six consecutive AFCON tournaments.
- The team’s unbeaten streak in group-stage matches stands at eight (six wins, two draws).
- Senegal is aiming to extend their scoring streak to six consecutive AFCON matches.
Notably, Senegal’s Sadio Mané had the highest shot attempts in the opening round, demonstrating their attacking strength. Senegal’s defense also excelled, achieving a clean sheet against Botswana.
Key Statistics: DR Congo
- DR Congo began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Benin, thanks to Théo Bongonda’s goal.
- The win marked their 95th goal at AFCON finals.
- They have won two of their last four opening matches, showing an improvement from previous years.
- DR Congo is yet to win a second group match at AFCON since 1996.
Despite recent struggles, they successfully progressed from the group stage whenever they secured an opening match victory. DR Congo’s previous offensive productivity has come from experienced players, a shift from younger contributors.
Match Importance
This encounter is pivotal for both teams as they aspire for knockout stage qualification. With Senegal aiming to maintain their unbeaten streak and DR Congo determined to break their second-match record, expectations are high for an exciting showdown.
