AFCON Group D promises an intriguing mix of continental heavyweights, rising contenders, and ambitious underdogs at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Featuring Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana, this group blends pedigree, recent momentum, and contrasting styles, making qualification far from straightforward.
With only two automatic quarter-final places available (plus possible third-place qualification), every point will matter. Below is a full AFCON Group D preview and prediction, including FIFA rankings, team strengths, and realistic expectations.
Senegal – Group Favorites and Title Contenders
- FIFA Ranking: 19
- AFCON Titles: 1 (2021)
Senegal enter AFCON Group D as clear favourites and genuine contenders to lift the trophy again. Ranked 19th in the world, the Teranga Lions boast the highest FIFA ranking in the group and arguably the strongest squad depth.
Their qualification campaign was near flawless, built on defensive discipline and attacking balance. Led by stars such as Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Iliman Ndiaye, and Nicolas Jackson, Senegal combine experience with athleticism and tactical intelligence.
Under head coach Pape Thiaw, Senegal have shown an ability to control games, press aggressively, and punish weaker opponents. Their recent results including dominant World Cup qualifiers and an 8–0 friendly win over Kenya highlight a team arriving in Morocco full of confidence.
In AFCON Group D, Senegal’s objective will be to finish top of the group while conserving energy for the knockout stages.
DR Congo – Dark Horses with Real Ambition
- FIFA Ranking: 56
- AFCON Titles: 2 (1968, 1974)
DR Congo are widely viewed as the biggest challengers to Senegal in AFCON Group D. Ranked 56th in the FIFA standings, the Leopards have steadily rebuilt their reputation over recent tournaments.
They reached the semi-finals of the last AFCON, knocking out Egypt on penalties and showing strong tournament mentality. Their squad blends European-based experience such as Chancel Mbemba, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Arthur Masuaku, and Cédric Bakambu with energetic midfielders like Noah Sadiki.
DR Congo are physically strong, tactically flexible, and dangerous in transition. While they may not dominate possession like Senegal, they are capable of grinding out results and thriving in high-pressure matches.
A strong start against Benin could put DR Congo in an excellent position to secure second place, and possibly even challenge Senegal for top spot.
Benin – Organised and Unpredictable
- FIFA Ranking: 92
- AFCON Titles: 0
Benin enter AFCON Group D ranked 92nd in the world and will likely be viewed as outsiders, but they should not be underestimated. Despite never winning an AFCON match outright, Benin famously reached the quarter-finals in 2019, eliminating Morocco on penalties.
Coached by Gernot Rohr, Benin are well-organised defensively and comfortable playing without the ball. Their squad features players spread across multiple leagues, with Steve Mounié providing a focal point in attack and Jodel Dossou offering experience in midfield.
Benin’s challenge will be converting defensive resilience into goals. Against teams like Senegal and DR Congo, they may struggle to create chances, but matches against Botswana could prove decisive.
Finishing third with enough points to qualify as a best third-placed team is a realistic target.
Botswana – Underdogs with Little to Lose
- FIFA Ranking: 138
- AFCON Titles: 0
Botswana are the lowest-ranked team in AFCON Group D, sitting at 138th in the FIFA rankings, and are making only their second-ever AFCON appearance. For the Zebras, qualification itself was a major success.
Their squad is largely domestic-based, with a few players operating abroad. Under coach Morena Ramoreboli, Botswana are disciplined and hardworking, but the gulf in quality compared to Senegal and DR Congo is significant.
Botswana’s best chance of points will likely come against Benin. Matches against the group’s top two will be about limiting damage and gaining tournament experience.
AFCON Group D Prediction
Predicted Final Standings:
- Senegal – Clear favourites with superior quality and depth
- DR Congo – Strong enough to secure second place
- Benin – Competitive but likely to fall short
- Botswana – Brave performances, limited results
Senegal should top AFCON Group D comfortably, while DR Congo’s experience and physicality give them the edge in the battle for second place. Benin may remain competitive and could challenge for third-place qualification, while Botswana face an uphill task.
Final Thought:
AFCON Group D may appear predictable on paper, but African football is rarely straightforward. Discipline, momentum, and small moments could still reshape the group especially in the battle between DR Congo and Benin for knockout-stage football.
