AFCON: Kakuta shines as DR Congo dominates Botswana

Gaël Kakuta and the Leopards of DR Congo advanced to the Round of 16 as Group D runners-up at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following a dominant 2-0 victory over Botswana on Tuesday.

Gaël Kakuta’s brilliant backheel set up Nathanaël Mbuku’s 31st minute opening goal before Kakuta converted a penalty kick close to halftime in a routine win.

The Leopards began on the front foot and the Botswana defense was forced to endure an onslaught of opportunities in the opening fifteen minutes. Zebras goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko managed to keep the match scoreless through the opening half hour but soon after, the Leopards finally pounced.

Mbuku found room on the right wing and passed inside to Kakuta. The veteran playmaker, a last-minute call into the squad due to injuries, showed his class with a brilliant backheel to find the run of Mbuku who finished low past Phoko for a Goal of the Tournament contender.

Ten minutes later, the Leopards doubled their lead. Elia Meschack got behind the Zebras defense on the left wing and his cross attempt hit the arm of a sliding defender in the penalty area. A VAR review confirmed the handball and a penalty kick was awarded which Kakuta dispatched with ease to make it 2-0 by halftime.

And the redemption story continued for the former Chelsea player after halftime. Excellent work from Théo Bongonda on the right wing resulted in a low cross for the Man of the Match to finish from close range and it was 3-0 before an hour had elapsed.

The only downside for the Leopards is that they could not overtake group winners Senegal with a superior goal difference to win the group. Fiston Mayele appeared to score around the 70th minute but his goal was disallowed by VAR for offsides to keep the margin of victory at three goals. Bongonda had a brilliant opportunity to put the Leopards into first place but Phoko continued to be Botswana’s only bright spot with another strong save.

DR Congo advance to the Round of 16 as the group runners-up. Instead of facing a more manageable opponent like group winners Senegal, who will face the third place finishers from Group E (likely Burkina Faso or Sudan), they will have a difficult but exciting clash with Algeria on January 6 in Rabat for a place in the quarterfinals.