Former Uganda Cranes coach Sebastien Desabre proved his tournament pedigree once again as his DR Congo side edged out Benin 1-0 in their AFCON 2025 opener played Tuesday afternoon in Rabat.
A 16th-minute strike from Theo Bongonda was enough to secure all three points for the Leopards. Bongonda clinicaly punished a defensive error following a brilliant long ball from Arthur Masuaku, ensuring Desabre’s men started their Group D campaign on a high.
The Touchline Reaction
After the match, Desabre who remains a fan favorite in Uganda praised his team’s discipline but remained focused on the road ahead.
“Winning the opening game is crucial to building a foundation,” Desabre told journalists shortly after the game. “We controlled the tempo well, but in this tournament, the most important match is always the next one. We must stay rigorous.”
Benin boss Gernot Rohr blamed the loss on the absence of five suspended starters but praised his team’s “solidarity.”
The Big Picture
With this win, DR Congo takes an early lead in Group D.
