The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) took an early advantage in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, leading 1-0 against Guinea at half-time. The match, part of Group H’s qualifying campaign for AFCON Morocco 2025, saw the Leopards gain the upper hand with a brilliant strike from Edo Kayembe in the 27th minute.
The moment of inspiration came when Kayembe, stationed outside the penalty box, unleashed a precise left-footed shot that soared over Guinea’s goalkeeper, Ibrahim Koné, and found the back of the net.
It was a spectacular goal that left the fans at the stadium in awe and propelled the DRC into a crucial lead.
As the first half unfolded, the DRC maintained their dominance in the game.
Coach Sébastien Desabre’s team displayed intent from the opening whistle, creating several scoring opportunities.
One of the most notable early moments came in the 4th minute when Samuel Essende nearly put the Leopards ahead, only to be denied by the crossbar after a powerful attempt.
Despite some missed chances and occasional wastefulness in their play, the DRC showed enough fluidity and creativity to control the match for large stretches of the opening period.
Théo Bongonda and Yoane Wissa were particularly dangerous, with their runs and crosses troubling Guinea’s defense throughout.
Their presence on the field helped give the Leopards a psychological edge, keeping Guinea largely on the back foot.
Guinea, for their part, struggled to find their rhythm in the first half.
While they had a few moments of promise, they failed to convert any meaningful chances and will be looking for a better performance after the break.
Coach Kaba Diawara will undoubtedly be keen to inspire a turnaround in the second half as his team faces an uphill task to get back into the game.
At the interval, the scoreline reflected the flow of the game, with the DRC appearing to be on the right track for a vital win in their quest for AFCON qualification.
However, with 45 minutes still to play, the Leopards will need to maintain their focus and composure to secure the victory and kick off their campaign in style.
As the second half approaches, all eyes will be on whether Guinea can mount a comeback or if the DRC will extend their lead and take a significant step toward their goal of qualifying for AFCON 2025.
