Theo Bongonda expressed pride and relief after scoring the goal that gave DR Congo a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Benin in their AFCON 2025 opener in Rabat.
His composed 16th‑minute finish, capitalising on a defensive mix‑up, was enough to seal all three points for the Leopards at Al Madina Stadium.
Reflecting on the match, Bongonda admitted how demanding the contest had been, especially against a Benin side that refused to give up despite missing several key players through suspension. “It was a difficult match. Personally, I didn’t know Benin very well. When you look at this AFCON, no team wins easily,” he said, underlining the increasing competitiveness of the tournament.
He stressed that efficiency mattered more than the scoreline, even if DR Congo only found the net once. “It’s true that we only scored one goal, but we took the three points. The most important thing is to keep moving forward and go as far as possible in this competition,” Bongonda added, framing his winner as just the first step in a long campaign. DR Congo’s solid defensive display in the closing stages helped turn his decisive strike into a perfect start.
