DR Congo Lights Up AFCON Night, Botswana Falls 3-0 in Morocco
30 December 2025
Match Result and Group Standings
The Democratic Republic of Congo beat Botswana 3-0 on Tuesday, in the third round of Group D of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, taking place in Morocco.
The Democratic Republic of Congo raised its tally to 7 points, in second place of Group D, gathered from two wins and a draw, behind Senegal with the same points.
Meanwhile Botswana did not score any point, after losing 3 matches in the group stage, to bid farewell to the tournament early, having conceded 7 goals without scoring in any match this edition of the CAN, this time for the fans across Africa, as follows:
Scorers and Key Moments
Nathaniel Maboko, a Montpellier forward, scored for Congo in the 31st minute, and Gael Kakuta of Esteghlal Tehran doubled in the 41st from the spot.
In the 60th minute Kakuta added another, his second and Congo's third, making the match much harder for Botswana.
Veston Maile, a Pyramids player, had a chance to make it 4-0 in the 70th minute, but the goal was disallowed after a video review.
With that result Congo advances to the knockout stage, alongside Senegal, while Benin will compete for one of the best third-placed teams.
According to Stats Foot, Congo's qualification to the knockout rounds comes in the last five participations, the best ever in the tournament's history.
The network also noted Botswana's negative record, equal to their 2012 tally, conceding seven goals without scoring, while listing the worst goal difference for a team in the group stage since 2000, this time for the fans across Africa, as follows:
- Sudan 2008 (-9)
- Benin 2004 (-7)
- Botswana 2012 (-7)
- Mauritania 2021 (-7)
- Botswana 2025 (-7)
Punchline 1: If Congo keeps this rhythm, the trophy will need a bigger passport.
Punchline 2: Botswana's defense was so good at hiding that even the ball filed a missing-ball report.
