Bongonda scores only goal as tournament dark horses open AFCON challenge with nervy victory

Théo Bongonda scored the only goal of the match DR Congo opened their African Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-fought victory against Benign in Rabat

Bongonda took advantage of dismal defense to push his country forward at the top of group D ahead of this afternoon’s match between Senegal and Botswana.

Benin fought hard but failed to find their way back into a competition lacking in quality.

DRC started well and enjoyed most of the possession in the first quarter of an hour and it was no surprise when they took the lead, although it came in slightly strange circumstances.

Arthur Masuaku’s long punt should have been meat and drink for the Benin defenders, but they surprisingly opted to let the ball bounce and Bongonda didn’t need a second invitation, stepping in to shoot left-footed past Saturnin Allagbe.

Benin fights back

It seemed tailor-made for the DRC to go on and dominate the match, but Benin fought back impressively, without offering much of a lead.

Doku Dodo nodded, then fired a shot over the bar with the Cheetahs’ two best chances of the first half.

Although they no longer dominated the midfield battle, the RDC were still more threatening in attack and only a superb last-chance counter prevented Cédric Bakambu from making it 2-0 after 28 minutes.

Bakumbu thought he had done better two minutes into the second half when he took Nathanael Mbuku’s cross from the left wing to guide a header past Allagbe. However, a lengthy VAR check ruled out the goal, with Mbuku ruled offside when receiving Noah Sadiki’s pass.

Bakumbu still upset

Veteran striker Bakumbu was having a frustrating afternoon and he wasted another chance with 20 minutes remaining, seeing his low shot smothered by Allagbe.

Benin pushed forward in the latter stages but the DRC held on despite one or two nervous moments from goalkeeper Lionel M’Pasi N’Zau, although he produced an excellent save on Aiyegun Tosin.