Senegal secure top spot in AFCON group as DR Congo draw Algeria in round of 16
Senegal defeated Benin on Tuesday to advance to the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations as Group D leaders, which left the Democratic Republic of Congo in second position and set to encounter Algeria in a challenging matchup in the following round.
The 2022 African champions Senegal entered the concluding group fixture requiring a victory over Benin in Tangier alongside hoping their opponents from Congo would not surpass them via goal difference.
Senegal triumphed 3-0 over Benin, with goals from Abdoulaye Seck and Habib Diallo, before captain Kalidou Koulibaly received a red card in the latter period. Cherif Ndiaye sealed the win with a penalty in added time.
Meanwhile, DR Congo overcame the already knocked out Botswana 3-0 in Rabat, resulting in both top teams concluding with seven points from three matches, yet Pape Thiaw's Senegal claimed first place thanks to a two-goal advantage in difference.
Consequently, Senegal enjoy an easier route in the elimination rounds and stay in Tangier for their last-16 clash on Saturday against the third-placed team from Group E.
That opponent will be either Burkina Faso or Sudan, who face off in Casablanca on Wednesday.
The Leopards, however, face the 2019 title holders Algeria in the round of 16 next Tuesday, with the victor possibly meeting Nigeria in the quarter-finals.
Benins three points, gained from a single 1-0 victory against Botswana, suffice for qualification as one of the top third-placed sides.
This marks only their second time reaching the AFCON knockout phase, and their prize is a confrontation with Mohamed Salahs Egypt in Agadir on Monday.
Defender Seck, who plays in Israel, nodded Senegal ahead from Krepin Diatta's free kick at the 38-minute mark, and the second arrived shortly past the hour as Mane's excellent pass back was finished by Diallo.
Captain Koulibaly followed with a dismissal after a VAR review changed his yellow to red, forcing the Lions of Teranga to defend with ten men for the last 19 minutes plus extra time.
Ndiayes spot-kick in the 97th minute confirmed the 3-0 scoreline and Senegals group standing.
Midfielder Gael Kakuta, formerly at Chelsea and currently in Turkey, shone for DR Congo versus Botswana at Al Medina stadium, with his clever backheel assisting Nathanael Mbuku for the first goal.
Kakuta netted from the penalty spot just before the break and claimed his brace along with his sides third on the hour through Theo Bongonda's pass.
An additional strike then might have equalled DR Congo and Senegals stats, potentially requiring a lottery for group order.
DR Congo believed they had scored when Fiston Mayele netted on 64 minutes.
It seemed to be off his shoulder, but VAR ruled out the effort for handball, ending the game at 3-0.