AFCON 2025 Feature: Group D – Champions, challengers and dreamers setting the scene

Group D brings together four nations with contrasting histories and ambitions. Senegal, recent champions, headline the group. DR Congo arrive with pedigree and hunger, Benin seek another breakthrough, while Botswana return to the finals with dreams of upsetting the odds.

This group promises tactical battles, emotional narratives and the kind of unpredictability that defines AFCON. 

SENEGAL – Lions of Teranga Roaring Again

- AFCON Pedigree: Winners in 2021

- Finals Appearances: 18th

Senegal enter as one of Africa’s most consistent forces. With world-class talent across Europe’s top leagues, they combine flair with discipline. Their mission is clear: reclaim continental dominance and prove their golden generation still has bite.

Fixtures: Dec 23 v Botswana, Tangier (1500), 27 v Democratic Republic of Congo, Tangier (1500), 30 v Benin, Tangier (1900)

Qualifying: Group L winners

Results: Burkina Faso 1-1 home 1-0 away, Burundi 2-0 1-0, Malawi 4-0 1-0

Leading scorer: 3 - Habib Diarra, Sadio Mane

Captain: Kalidou Koulibaly, defender

Coach: Pape Thiaw (SEN)

Rankings: 2 Africa, 19 world

Previous appearances: 17

Best placing: Champions 2022

Most goals scored: Ethiopia 5-1 (1965)

Most goals conceded: Angola 1-3 (2008)

Popular name: Teranga Lions

DR CONGO – The Leopards’ Legacy

- AFCON Pedigree: Winners in 1968 and 1974

- Finals Appearances: 21st

DR Congo carry a proud history and a passionate fan base. Their physicality and attacking intent make them dangerous opponents. Hungry to return to glory, the Leopards see Group D as the perfect stage to roar once more.

Fixtures: Dec 23 v Benin, Rabat (1230), 27 v Senegal, Tangier (1500), 30 v Botswana, Rabat (1900)

Qualifying: Group H winners

Results: Tanzania 1-0 home 2-0 away, Guinea 1-0 0-1, Ethiopia 1-2 2-0

Leading scorer: 2 - Meschak Elia

Captain: Chancel Mbemba, defender

Coach: Sebastien Desabre (FRA)

Rankings: 9 Africa, 56 world

Previous appearances: 20

Best placing: Champions 1968, 1974

Most goals scored: Mauritius 4-1 (1974), Burkina Faso 4-4 (1998), Congo Brazzaville 4-2 (2015), Zimbabwe 4-0 (2019)

Most goals conceded: Ghana 2-5 (1965), Cameroon 2-5 (1972)

Popular name: Leopards

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BENIN – The Stallions of Surprise

- AFCON Pedigree: Quarterfinalists in 2019

- Finals Appearances: 5th

Benin are no strangers to upsetting giants. Their spirited run in 2019 proved their potential, and they arrive in Morocco determined to replicate that magic. Compact defensively and opportunistic in attack, they are the group’s unpredictable element.

Fixtures: Dec 23 v Democratic Republic of Congo, Rabat (1230), 27 v Botswana, Rabat (1230), 30 v Senegal, Tangier (1900)

Qualifying: Group D runners-up

Results: Nigeria 1-1 home 0-3 away, Rwanda 3-0 1-2, Libya 2-1 0-0

Leading scorers: 2 - Andreas Hountondji, Steve Mounie

Captain: Mounie, forward

Coach: Gernot Rohr (GER)

Rankings: 20 Africa, 92 world

Previous appearances: 4

Best placing: Quarterfinals 2019

Most goals scored: Mozambique 2-2 (2010), Ghana 2-2 (2019)

Most goals conceded: Morocco 0-4 (2004), Ivory Coast 1-4 (2008)

Popular name: Cheetahs

BOTSWANA – The Zebras’ Return

- AFCON Pedigree: Group stage in 2012

- Finals Appearances: 2nd

Botswana return to AFCON after more than a decade. As underdogs, they carry little pressure but immense pride. Their goal is simple: compete fiercely, earn respect and perhaps deliver a shock result that will echo across Africa.

Fixtures: Dec 23 v Senegal, Tangier (1500), 27 v Benin, Rabat (1230), 30 v Democratic Republic of Congo, Rabat (1900)

Qualifying: Group C runners-up

Results: Egypt 0-4 home 1-1 away, Mauritania 1-1 0-1, Cape Verde 1-0 1-0

Leading scorer: None

Captain: Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, defender

Coach: Morena Ramoreboli (RSA)

Rankings: 40 Africa, 138 world

Previous appearance: 1

Best placing: First round

Most goals scored: Guinea 1-6, Mali 1-2 (both 2012)

Most goals conceded: Guinea 1-6 (2012)

Popular name: Zebras

GROUP DYNAMICS

Favourites: Senegal, with their star-studded squad and recent title.

Challenger: DR Congo, with pedigree and ambition.

Wild Card: Benin, capable of upsetting giants.

Underdog: Botswana, driven by pride and hunger.

Group D is a clash of champions and dreamers. Senegal’s dominance, DR Congo’s legacy, Benin’s unpredictability and Botswana’s hunger combine to create one of the most compelling pools of AFCON 2025.

Group D embodies AFCON’s magic: giants chasing glory, challengers seeking respect and underdogs dreaming of miracles.

Every fixture is layered with history and possibility, ensuring fans will witness drama, passion and unforgettable football.