Senegal Advances to AFCON Last 16, DR Congo to Face Algeria. Dakar, Senegal — Senegal triumphed over Benin in their final group game of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), securing a spot in the last 16 of the tournament.
The victory came as a relief for the 2022 champions, who needed to win to surpass the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on goal difference.
The DRC, despite losing to Senegal on goal difference, will face a formidable challenge against Algeria in their next match. Senegal’s 3-0 win in Tangier was enough to secure top spot in Group D, with goals from Abdoulaye Seck, Habib Diallo, and a late penalty by Cherif Ndiaye.
However, the Lions of Teranga faced a setback as captain Kalidou Koulibaly was sent off in the second half after a VAR review upgraded a yellow card to a red.
The DRC, who beat Botswana 3-0 in Rabat, finished second in the group with the same points as Senegal but were behind on goal difference. Gael Kakuta was in excellent form for the DRC, setting up two goals and scoring one himself against Botswana. Senegal’s path in the knockout phase will be less challenging, as they will play the third-place finisher from Group E, which will be either Burkina Faso or Sudan.
The Leopards, on the other hand, will face Algeria, the 2019 champions, in the last 16 next Tuesday. Benin secured their passage to the AFCON knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams, with a single point from a 1-0 win over Botswana. They will face Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in Agadir on Monday.
Further details are expected as the AFCON tournament progresses, with Senegal and the DRC both eyeing a deep run in the competition.
