Senegal came from behind to draw 1-1 with DR Congo at the Stade Olympique de Rabat on Saturday in a dramatic AFCON 2025 encounter, extending their unbeaten run across the last eight games in all competitions.
The Lions of Teranga dominated large periods of the first half, peppering the DR Congo goal with shots but struggling to convert their chances.
Sadio Mane tested goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi with a curling free-kick that drifted just wide, while Pape Gueye’s long-range effort was comfortably dealt with. DR Congo briefly thought they had taken the lead when Aaron Wan-Bissaka scored, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside.
Photo Credit: AFP
The deadlock was broken early in the second half, though it was the visitors who drew first blood. Cedric Bakambu pounced on a loose ball following a sloppy save from Edouard Mendy to give DR Congo a shock lead.
Senegal, however, responded almost immediately. Mane, unmarked from close range, slotted in to restore parity and open his scoring account for the tournament, leaving the teams level once more.
Senegal seized control following the equaliser, probing the DR Congo defence with quick, precise passing and creating several half-chances. Ismaila Sarr, Nicolas Jackson, and Pape Gueye combined to unsettle the Leopards’ backline, but Mpasi’s alert goalkeeping and some timely defensive interventions kept DR Congo in the game.
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The visitors also looked dangerous on the break, moving the ball quickly through midfield and forcing Mendy into action on a few occasions.
Photo Credit: AFP
Both teams made multiple tactical substitutions in the final stages as they searched for a winner, but neither could break the deadlock. The draw keeps Senegal top of Group D on goal difference and extends their unbeaten head-to-head record against DR Congo to ten games.
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DR Congo remain second in the group, setting up a tense final round of matches where Senegal face Benin in Tangier, and DR Congo meet Botswana in Rabat.
