Senegal vs DR Congo: Can Nicolas Jackson breach DR Congo's defense?

Senegal: The Teranga Lions roared, and the whole continent heard!

Senegal sent out a clear message of intent in their opening match of the 2025 African Cup of Nations. The 2021 African champions were pitted against minnows Botswana at Stade Ibn Batouta, and as expected from them, they secured a win - a dominant one at that.

Nikolas Jackson scored two goals for his side before substitute Cherif Ndiaye added a third in the second half stoppage time to secure a commanding 3-0 victory. That marked their sixth consecutive win in an opening match of the AFCON finals.

The Lions of Teranga were dominant in all aspects of the game, and the stats tell a different story, showing they could've won by a bigger margin. However, a win is all that mattered in the end as it moved them to the top of Group D.

Check out a comparison of stats between Senegal and Botswana:

As you can see from the above stats, they were utterly dominant and are out to replicate the same dominance against the Leopards. Success in this upcoming clash could see them book their spot in the knockout stages with one group stage game left to spare. 

First, they need to get past this opponent in what will be a tense and cagey affair. The last time they met was in the qualifiers for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, and that match ended in a 1-1 draw. Are we in for another similar result? Find out what our experts have to say in our Senegal vs DR Congo prediction for more insights on the match. 

Senegal AFCON facts:

• Senegal have maintained an eight-match unbeaten run in the AFCON group stages.
• Senegal have scored in each of their last five AFCON matches.
• Senegal have kept ten clean sheets in ten of their last 13 AFCON group stage games.

More on AFCON 2025

DR Congo: The Leopards are hoping they can tame the Terenga Lions

Indeed, DR Congo walked away with three points in their opening match against Benin, but the manner in which they achieved that success was unconvincing, for a team expected to secure a comfortable win, as backed by the betting odds, which gave them a high probability.

Three points were all that mattered in the end as Theo Bongonda's effort in the opening 16 minutes of the first half sealed a narrow 1-0 victory at Al Barid Stadium. 

The Leopards now shift their focus to Senegal, who, in their recent match, sent out a clear message of intent. That shouldn't derail them from recording a positive result, having won one of their last two AFCON meetings against this opponent (L1). However, that triumph was recorded in 1968 in a group stage game (Group B).

Should they surrender all three points this Saturday, there's no need for them to hit the panic button, as their last group stage game is against the lowly Botswana. By their lofty standards, it should be a winnable fixture.

DR Congo AFCON facts:

• DR Congo are unbeaten in their last five AFCON group stage games.
• DR Congo's last win in the second group stage game at AFCON was in 1996.
• DR Congo have scored 95 goals in the AFCON finals, which is more than Senegal's 90.

Nicolas Jackson is racing for the Golden Boot

Nicolas Jackson might be having a tough time settling at Bayern Munich (on loan from Chelsea) this season, with three goals in 12 games. However, the 24-year-old forward has impressed in the 2025 African Cup of Nations. 

Last time out against Botswana, he scored a brace to become the second player in a row for Senegal to achieve such a feat in an opening match. The last player to do so was Lamine Camara in the previous edition. 

So far, he has eight goal contributions for the senior national team in five starts. He is in the race for the Golden Boot and, with two games left to spare in the group stages, has the opportunity to extend his goal tally before entering the knockout stages. 

Facing a side that allowed their opponents to register 12 shots at goal, be sure to expect Jackson to breach their defense in search of more goals.

View our Senegal vs DR Congo prediction