By Oni Ladonette Ondesa,
Journalist kick442.com – Cameroon
Senegal and DR Congo shared the spoils in a gritty 1-1 draw that saw momentum swing wildly in a frantic second half.
Despite a dominant start from the Teranga Lions, the Leopards proved clinical on the counter-attack, forcing the hosts to dig deep to salvage a result in this high-stakes Group D encounter.
The first half of the Saturday game was characterized by a lack of clinical finishing and frequent tactical fouls. The boys of Pape Thiaw dictated the tempo early on, with Nicolas Jackson and Ismaïla Sarr finding space in the final third but failing to test Lionel Mpasi effectively.
A goal each ends the match level
The visitors remained disciplined in a low block, frustrating the Senegalese midfield. Pape Gueye picked up a yellow card for a cynical challenge in the 28th minute as the game became increasingly physical.
While the 2021 African champions registered several attempts, including a stinging left-footed strike from Gana Gueye just before the interval, the sides went into the tunnel deadlocked at 0-0.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 61st minute against the run of play. DR Congo exploited a defensive lapse following a swift transition. After Édouard Mendy produced a sharp save to deny Théo Bongonda, the rebound fell kindly for Cédric Bakambu, who adjusted his feet to slot a left-footed finish into the bottom corner from point-blank range.
Stunned by the opener, Senegal manager Pape Thiaw immediately turned to his bench, introducing Ibrahim Mbaye for Ismaïla Sarr to inject fresh energy into the flanks.
Senegal’s persistence paid off just eight minutes later. In the 69th minute, the talismanic Sadio Mané restored parity. Following sustained pressure and a saved effort from substitute Mbaye, Mané pounced on a loose ball in the center of the box, drilling a low right-footed shot into the bottom left corner to send the home fans into a frenzy.
The goal shifted momentum back to the hosts, who began pinning the Leopards deep in their own 18-yard box. The closing stages were a stop-start affair, marred by injuries to Arthur Masuaku and Ibrahim Mbaye.
A goal and a stellar performance earns Sadio Mané the TotalEnergies man of the match against Dr Congo
DR Congo nearly snatched a late winner through Fiston Mayele, whose effort was heroically blocked by the Senegalese backline. Despite five minutes of stoppage time and a flurry of set-pieces for the Lions, the Congolese defense, anchored by captain Chancel Mbemba, held firm.
The final whistle confirmed a stalemate, leaving both sides with four points each and the group wide open, especially following Benin’s 1-0 win over Botswana.
The group’s final standings will be decided on the last day of play, Tuesday, December 30, 2025, when Senegal faces Benin and DR Congo take on Botswana.
French 
English