Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo will clash in their second Group D fixture in the Africa Cup of Nations, aiming for a crucial victory that would secure their passage to the knockout stage. The match is scheduled for December 27 at the Grand Stade de Tanger, kicking off at 16:00 local time c15:00 GMTc. This encounter will mark the eleventh meeting between the two nations, with Senegal holding a historical advantage of six wins against DR Congo's two, with two draws.
The rivalry between Senegal and DR Congo dates back to their first AFCON encounter in 1968, where the Leopards emerged victorious with a 2–1 win, advancing to the semi-finals alongside Ghana, ultimately clinching the AFCON title. Their most recent AFCON meeting was a quarter-final clash in the 2002 edition, which saw Senegal triumph 2–0, propelling them to their first AFCON final where they finished runners-up to Cameroon.
In recent times, Senegal has maintained dominance over DR Congo, remaining unbeaten in their last eight meetings with six wins and two draws. The last victory for DR Congo over Senegal dates back to a friendly international in 1969, where they secured a convincing 4–0 win. Notably, the two sides also squared off in the World Cup qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Senegal coming out on top in both encounters, ultimately securing qualification for the tournament.
Senegal, after a resounding 3–0 victory over Botswana in their opening match, will look to build on their early success. Led by head coach Pape Thiaw, Senegal boasts an impressive record in recent AFCON tournaments, having maintained an unbeaten streak in their last eight group-stage matches. The Lions have a rich history in the competition, with notable performances such as reaching the AFCON final in 2002. Key players like Sadio Mane and Idrissa Gueye have been instrumental in Senegal's recent success and will be crucial in their quest for another strong performance against DR Congo.
On the other hand, DR Congo started their AFCON campaign with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Benin, with Theo Bongonda netting the decisive goal. The Leopards have a storied AFCON history, winning the tournament in 1968 and 1974. Despite a less consistent record compared to Senegal, DR Congo has shown resilience in recent matches, remaining unbeaten in their last five AFCON group games. The team will rely on experienced players like Arthur Masuaku to deliver another solid performance against Senegal.
As the two sides prepare to renew their rivalry in the upcoming fixture, the clash between Senegal and DR Congo promises to be a captivating showdown with both teams aiming to secure their spot in the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations. Football fans can expect an enthralling contest as these two African powerhouses battle it out on the grand stage of the AFCON 2025 tournament.