AFCON 2025: Gael Kakuta brace leads D.R Congo to emphatic 3-0 victory over Botswana to close Group D

D.R Congo battled to emphatically defeat Botswana 3-0 in their final Group D match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Tuesday night.

In the one-sided affair staged at Al Barid Stadium, Nathanael Mbuku opened the scoring in the 31st minute after a superb team move to give the victors a deserved lead.

Ten minutes later, Kakuta, who had assisted the first goal, had his chance to double the lead for D.R Congo when they were awarded a penalty kick.

The experienced attacker made no mistake from 12 yards, firing his effort into the back of the Botswana net.

In control and with a comfortable lead at halftime, DR. Congo controlled the contest after recess and added a third on the hour mark.

Gael Kakuta found himself in a good position and capitalised on the chance. He slotted the ball into the back of the net with a low shot to make it 3-0 for his side.

D.R Congo thought they had made it 4-0 three minutes later when Fiston Mayele latched onto a cross to score with a header.

Upon a review of the goal, it was disallowed by the referee due to a handball incident. While both teams will combine for several goal-scoring opportunities in the remainder of the match, there were no other goals as D.R Congo grabbed all three points at full time courtesy of the 3-0 win.

The result saw the side finishing second in Group D with seven points as they stormed into the Round 16 stage.

From the same group, Senegal [seven points] and Benin [four points] also advanced to the Round of 16.