AFCON 2025: Sadio Mane Rescues Senegal After DR Congo Breakthrough in Thrilling Encounter

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group stage clash between Senegal and DR Congo at the Grand Stade de Tanger concluded in a 1-1 draw.

Before clashing at AFCON 2025, the two sides most recently met in a thrilling 2026 World Cup qualifier in September 2025, where Senegal staged a dramatic comeback from two goals down to win 3-2 in Kinshasa.

This followed a 1-1 draw in their previous qualifying encounter in June 2024, maintaining Senegal's long-standing unbeaten streak against the Leopards heading into the tournament.

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In their Group D openers on December 23, Senegal delivered a clinical performance with a 3-0 victory over Botswana, fueled by a Nicolas Jackson brace, while DR Congo secured a hard-fought 1-0 win against Benin thanks to an early Théo Bongonda strike.

The opening 10 minutes saw both sides create promising opportunities, but neither could find the breakthrough.

In the eighth minute, Nicolas Jackson had a chance that went just wide, while Senegal tested Congo’s resilient defence again in the 11th minute.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka thought he had scored in the 13th minute, but the goal was ruled offside, jolting the Lions of Teranga and igniting renewed determination in the Leopards.

In the 21st minute, Jackson was well set up by Sadio Mané but again failed to convert as the ball went just wide. Senegal earned a free kick in the 24th minute, delivered to Ismaila Sarr, but the effort also missed the target.

In the 31st minute, Sadio Mané found Nicolas Jackson in the box, yet the striker was tackled and could not finish.

DR Congo threatened on a counterattack soon after, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka was unable to connect, and the chance went begging.

In the 36th minute, Senegal were awarded a free kick, offering a prime scoring opportunity, but Sadio Mané’s shot went wide.

DR Congo responded in the 42nd minute with a free kick just outside the box, only to be denied by Senegal’s formidable defence. A minute later, Senegal earned a corner, but the delivery failed to yield a goal.

The second half continued with intense action as both sides pushed to break the deadlock and secure automatic qualification for the knockout stage.

DR Congo threatened early in the 47th minute, but Kalidou Koulibaly produced an impressive save, leading to a corner that went unconverted.

The Leopards appeared dominant in the opening minutes before Senegal gradually seized control, mounting two promising attempts that ultimately came to nothing.

In the 52nd minute, DR Congo nearly took the lead again, only for Edouard Mendy to make a brilliant save, while Sadio Mané’s effort in the 55th minute was also denied by the alert keeper. DR Congo finally made their breakthrough in the 60th minute, with Cedric Bakambu finding the back of the net.

Senegal pressed forward in the 64th minute, but despite several rebound opportunities, they were unable to find the net. On the counterattack, DR Congo nearly doubled their lead, though the effort went wide.

To maintain their advantage and cope with Senegal’s persistent attacks, the Leopards introduced two substitutes, injecting fresh energy into their defence.

However, Sadio Mané levelled for Senegal in the 69th minute, converting a rebound from a shot by his fellow striker that had been initially saved by the goalkeeper.

In the 79th minute, Senegal earned a free kick, but the attempt failed to yield a goal. A minute later, they made two substitutions, with Nicolas Jackson leaving the field.

Soon after, Sadio Mané was fouled, earning Senegal another free kick just outside the box, yet once again, it was not converted.