Kakuta conducts as DR Congo march into knockout stage
Gaël Kakuta delivered a performance of pure authority as DR Congo sealed second place in Group D of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 with a dominant 3–0 win over Botswana in Rabat.
The victory books Les Léopards a heavyweight Round of 16 clash with Algeria, after a display that underlined both their attacking quality and tournament maturity.
DR Congo strike first after early dominance
DR Congo set the tone from the opening whistle, pressing high and moving the ball with intent. Their pressure paid off in the 31st minute when Kakuta produced a moment of invention, flicking an audacious backheel into the path of Nathaniel Mbuku.
Mbuku reacted quickest, stretching to guide the ball home from close range and reward a bright start from the Congolese side.
Chances continued to flow. Charles Pickel twice threatened from distance, while Fiston Mayele flashed a header narrowly wide as Botswana struggled to contain the wave of attacks.
Kakuta takes control before the break
The Leopards doubled their lead just before half-time after VAR confirmed a handball by Thabo Leinanyane while attempting to block a cross. Kakuta stepped up and dispatched the penalty with trademark composure, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
It was a deserved cushion at the interval and a reflection of DR Congo’s control.
Second-half authority seals the result
Any hopes of a Botswana response were quickly extinguished after the restart. On the hour mark, Kakuta struck again, controlling Theo Bongonda’s delivery inside the box before calmly placing his finish into the corner to complete his brace.
Mayele thought he had added a fourth moments later, but VAR ruled the goal out for handball in the build-up.
From there, DR Congo managed the game with confidence and discipline, closing out a comfortable win without allowing Botswana any real route back into the contest.
What the result means
The win confirms DR Congo’s passage to the knockout stages, where they will face Group E winners Algeria in what promises to be one of the standout ties of the Round of 16.
Botswana, already eliminated before kick-off, exit the tournament without a point but with moments of resilience despite being outclassed.
