The Africa Cup of Nations kicked off in thrilling fashion as Congo DR secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Benin in Match Round 1 at the ongoing tournament. The match witnessed an intense battle between the two sides, with Congo DR ultimately emerging victorious thanks to a clinical finish from Théo Bongonda MbulOfeko Batomboat in the 16th minute.
The opening goal came in the early stages of the game when Théo Bongonda MbulOfeko Batomboat capitalized on a well-executed team move to put Congo DR ahead. The goal injected energy into the match, with both teams pushing forward in search of an equalizer or a potential winner.
Benin, to their credit, fought valiantly to get back into the game but found it challenging to break down a resolute Congo DR defense. Despite creating a few promising opportunities, Benin was unable to find the back of the net, as Congo DR held firm to protect their lead.
As the match progressed, Congo DR showed composure and resilience to maintain their slender advantage and see out the game. Their defensive organization and tactical discipline frustrated Benin’s attempts to level the score, ensuring that Congo DR claimed all three points in their opening fixture of the tournament.
Théo Bongonda MbulOfeko Batomboat’s early strike proved to be the decisive moment in a closely contested encounter, highlighting the importance of clinical finishing in high-stakes matches. The victory gives Congo DR a positive start to their Africa Cup of Nations campaign and sets the tone for their upcoming fixtures in the competition.
Overall, the match between Congo DR and Benin was a compelling contest that showcased the competitive spirit and quality of football on display at the Africa Cup of Nations. With both teams demonstrating determination and skill throughout the game, it was Congo DR who emerged victorious, laying down a marker for their ambitions in the tournament.
- Congo DR will play with Senegal. December 27 at 15:00 (GMT), on Stade Ibn Batouta.
- Benin will play with Botswana. December 27 at 12:30 (GMT), on Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah.
Congo DR
- Lionel Mpasi-Nzau (6.7)
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka (7.3)
- Chancel Mbemba Mangulu (7.2)
- Axel Tuanzebe (6.2)
- Fuka-Arthur Masuaku Kawela (7)
- Samuel Moutoussamy (6.9)
- Théo Bongonda MbulOfeko Batomboat (8)
- Edouard Kayembe Kayembe (6.7)
- Noah Junior Sadiki (7)
- Nathanaël Mbuku (7.5)
- Cédric Bakambu (6.2)
Benin
Substitutions:
Congo DR
- Edouard Kayembe Kayembe (Ngalayel Mukau, 55)
- Fuka-Arthur Masuaku Kawela (Joris Kayembe Ditu, 68)
- Théo Bongonda MbulOfeko Batomboat (Meschack Elia Lina, 68)
- Cédric Bakambu (Fiston Kalala Mayele, 85)
- Nathanaël Mbuku (Brian Kibambe Cipenga, 85)
Benin
- Jodel Harold Oluwafemi Dossou (Romaric Amoussou, 63)
- Sessi Octave Emile DAlmeida (Attidjikou Samadou, 82)
- Aiyegun Oluwatosin Tosin (Olatoundji Tessilimi, 90)
Ball possession:
In a tightly contested match between Congo DR and Benin, it was the visitors who dominated possession, with Benin commanding 61% of the ball compared to Congo DR’s 39%. The game was full of action, with both teams creating numerous opportunities in front of goal.
Congo DR tested the Benin defense with 11 shots on target, but only managed to get 3 on goal. The standout player for Congo DR in terms of shooting was Théo Bongonda MbulOfeko Batomboat, who was the most active in front of goal.
On the other side, Benin made 12 shots on target, with 2 finding the back of the net. Tamimou Ouorou was the standout player for Benin, demonstrating precision and accuracy in front of goal.
Overall, the match was a showcase of attacking football, with both teams creating chances and testing the opposition’s defenses. Benin’s dominance in possession paid off, as they were able to convert their opportunities into goals, securing a hard-fought victory over Congo DR.
Passes:
In a thrilling encounter between Congo DR and Benin, both teams showcased their passing prowess in a closely contested match. Samuel Moutoussamy of Congo DR exhibited exceptional precision with an 86% pass accuracy out of 36 total passes, while Olivier Jacques Verdon of Benin mirrored his accuracy with 86% from 89 passes.
The midfield battle was intense, with Nathanaël Mbuku of Congo DR and Romaric Amoussou of Benin making significant impacts by delivering 3 key passes each. Mbuku’s vision and creativity were on full display as he orchestrated his team’s attacks, while Amoussou’s distribution played a crucial role in Benin’s buildup play.
Both teams demonstrated a commitment to maintaining possession and creating opportunities through accurate passing. The match was a testament to the importance of precision and strategy in modern football, with Congo DR and Benin showcasing their technical abilities on the pitch.
Overall, the match between Congo DR and Benin was a showcase of skillful passing and tactical awareness, with both teams putting on an impressive display of footballing talent. The final score may not have reflected the closely fought nature of the game, but the quality of passing on display was truly commendable.
Defense:
In a closely contested match between Congo DR and Benin, defensive prowess took center stage as both teams displayed resolute performances to secure a goalless draw. The focus was on interceptions and blocks, with each side showcasing their defensive acumen throughout the game.
Congo DR, led by the impressive Fuka-Arthur Masuaku Kawela, managed to make 5 interceptions in total. Kawela’s leadership at the back was evident as he made 2 crucial interceptions to thwart Benin’s attacking advances. However, the rest of the team failed to match his defensive output in terms of interceptions.
On the other hand, Benin matched Congo DR’s interception tally with 5 interceptions of their own. Tamimou Ouorou stood out for Benin with 2 interceptions, showcasing his ability to read the game and break up opposition attacks effectively. Olivier Jacques Verdon also contributed with 1 interception to help shore up Benin’s defense.
Despite their defensive efforts, Congo DR failed to register any blocks during the match, highlighting a missed opportunity to deny Benin clear goal-scoring chances. In contrast, Benin managed to make 3 crucial blocks, with Olivier Jacques Verdon leading the way with 1 block to deny Congo DR’s attacking threats.
Overall, both teams displayed a strong defensive resolve, with interceptions and blocks playing a key role in ensuring a tightly contested encounter. The match ended in a stalemate, but the defensive performances from both sides were commendable, showcasing their ability to nullify each other’s attacking threats effectively.
Face-to-face:
In a highly anticipated match between Congo DR and Benin, the battle for possession was intense as two standout players, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Abdoul Rachid Moumini, showcased their prowess in face-to-face duels for the ball. Wan-Bissaka, representing Congo DR, engaged in 7 challenging battles, while Moumini, donning the colors of Benin, led the way with an impressive 10 confrontations.
The clash between these two skilled individuals set the tone for a thrilling encounter on the pitch. Wan-Bissaka’s tenacity and defensive acumen were on full display as he fiercely contested for the ball, demonstrating his commitment to his team’s cause. On the other side, Moumini’s relentless pursuit of possession exemplified his determination to make an impact and propel his team forward.
Their individual performances in these face-to-face duels not only showcased their technical abilities but also highlighted their strategic importance within their respective teams. As key players in the heart of the action, Wan-Bissaka and Moumini played pivotal roles in shaping the flow of the game and influencing the outcome of crucial moments.
Their exceptional displays in these duels for the ball added an extra layer of excitement to an already compelling match, captivating fans and pundits alike. As the final whistle blew, it was evident that Wan-Bissaka and Moumini had left their mark on the game, solidifying their positions as key figures in the teams’ quest for victory.
In conclusion, the face-to-face battles between Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Abdoul Rachid Moumini served as a captivating subplot in an enthralling match between Congo DR and Benin. Their individual contributions in these duels underscored their importance to their respective teams and added a dynamic element to the overall narrative of the game.
Fouls:
Yellow cards:
- Samuel Moutoussamy (Congo DR) at 20 minute
- Edouard Kayembe Kayembe (Congo DR) at 36 minute
- Cédric Bakambu (Congo DR) at 64 minute
- Jodel Harold Oluwafemi Dossou (Benin) at 52 minute
- Romaric Amoussou (Benin) at 72 minute
- Abdoul Rachid Moumini (Benin) at 77 minute
The last five games (including this match):
- Congo DR – W
- Benin – L
Top 5 Africa Cup of Nations scorers:
- Prince Mpumelelo Dube (2, Zimbabwe)
- Lassine Sinayoko (1, Mali)
- Lyle Brent Foster (1, South Africa)
- Manuel Luís da Silva Cafumana (1, Angola)
- Brahim Abdelkader Díaz (1, Morocco)
Line-ups:
Next games:
- Congo DR will play with Senegal. December 27 at 15:00 (GMT), on Stade Ibn Batouta.
- Benin will play with Botswana. December 27 at 12:30 (GMT), on Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah.
