Congo DR vs Benin Prediction & Picks - AFCON
Africa - AFCON
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by Bradley Gibbs in AFCON Picks
Kicking things off on the third day of the latest African Cup of Nations, starting the first of the four-game days, we have the Democratic Republic of Congo against Benin. Having impressed in recent years, reaching the semi-finals when the tournament was last played, as well as in 2015, The Leopards will be looking for a fast start in Morocco. On paper, a game against Benin provides Sebastien Desabre's men with a solid opportunity to get off the mark with a win.
Unlike their opponents, the Benin boys haven't exactly thrived in AFCON in recent times. In fact, we're talking about a nation that is not at all synonymous with success on the continent. After qualifying for the tournament for just the fourth time, they reached the quarter finals in 2019, before failing to qualify in both 2021 and 2023. Can they now do better?
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Congo DR vs Benin Form
Congo DR and Benin Latest Matches
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Dec 16, 2025 - International Friendlies
Nov 16, 2025 - World Cup
Nov 13, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 14, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 10, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 9, 2025 - World Cup
4/6 (67%)
0/6 (0%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Dec 16, 2025 - International Friendlies
Oct 14, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 9, 2025 - World Cup
Aug 17, 2025 - African Nations Championship
Aug 7, 2025 - African Nations Championship
Jun 8, 2025 - International Friendlies
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Nov 16, 2025 - World Cup
Nov 13, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 10, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 5, 2025 - World Cup
Aug 14, 2025 - African Nations Championship
Aug 3, 2025 - African Nations Championship
3/6 (50%)
0/6 (0%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Nov 18, 2025 - International Friendlies
Oct 14, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 10, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 9, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 5, 2025 - World Cup
Jun 9, 2025 - International Friendlies
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Sep 9, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 5, 2025 - World Cup
Mar 25, 2025 - World Cup
Nov 14, 2024 - AFCON
Oct 11, 2024 - AFCON
Sep 10, 2024 - AFCON
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Nov 18, 2025 - International Friendlies
Oct 14, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 10, 2025 - World Cup
Jun 9, 2025 - International Friendlies
Mar 20, 2025 - World Cup
Nov 18, 2024 - AFCON
Congo DR against Benin : Head to Head (H2H)
50 %
50 %
0 %
Average stats (last H2H results)
Nov 14, 2021 - World Cup
Sep 6, 2021 - World Cup
Congo DR - Benin: Form Analysis
In terms of recent form, the hosts have performed well, there's no getting away from that fact. Last week, the Leopards warmed up with a straightforward 2-0 win over Zambia, avoiding defeat for the fifth game in a row. They've won four of their last five. Desabre's men have also lost just two of their last ten games in all competitions, losing only three of their last 17. Not bad at all.
DR Congo have scored in each of their last 10 matches.
The men coached by Gernot Rohr had also been on a winning run of their own, beating both Zimbabwe and Lesotho, before grinding it out against Rwanda in late October, keeping their third clean sheet on the spin. Unfortunately, their form has since dropped off, with the Cheetahs losing heavily to both Nigeria and Burkina Faso. Such form does now bode well ahead of their exploits in Morocco.
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Congo DR & Benin Squad Analysis
We should expect the Leopards to be at full strength ahead of this first group game, meaning that coach Desabre can pick his strongest XI, which is likely to include the likes of Arthur Masuaku, Axel Tuanzebe and Chancel Mbemba. West Ham's Aaron Wan-Bissaka is expected to feature at right back, while other Premier League players such as Noah Sadiki should be involved.
The main threat up top will come from Real Betis' Cedric Bakambu.
We won't see as many high-profile players featuring for the Cheetahs, that's for sure. None of Rohr' preferred starting XI play their club soccer in the EPL. Steve Mounie is a familiar name, especially to fans of Ligue 1 outfit Brest, while the forward was also recently at Augsburg in the Bundesliga. Lorient's Aiyegun Tosin is another of Benin's more recognizable players.
Congo DR - Benin Key Points
- In AFCON qualifying, no player scored more goals for D.R. Congo than Meschack Elia.
- Meschack Elia averaged 0.94 goals per 90 minutes in qualifying.
- Meschack Elia scored when last starting for D.R. Congo.
- In qualifying, Meschack Elia was easily D.R. Congo's best player in terms of goals per 90 minutes.
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Our Congo DR vs Benin Prediction
Cedric Bakambu will be the subject of lots of attention here, especially from bettors, and it really won't be a suprise if the forward notches, though for my money, Meschack Elia is going under the radar a little. Far from a regular scorer at club level, Elia has done well at international level in recent times, while his ability to run in behind and play off someone like Bakambu, who will be closely marked in this game, could prove to be very useful for the Leopards.
Frankly, at odds of +255, the winger/forward looks a little generously priced. After all, he delivered a fantastic performance against Nigeria recently, so do not be surprised if he causes a much weaker Benin outfit plenty of problems.
Our D.R. Congo vs Benin Pick: Meschack Elia to Score.
Congo DR vs Benin - Other Interesting Picks
D.R. Congo to Win & Under 3.5 Goals
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Congo DR vs Benin match : Frequently asked questions
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