DR Congo won their first two meetings with Senegal, but are winless in eight encounters since, losing six of them.
The duo clashed during the most-recent cycle of World Cup qualifying, drawing 1-1 in Diamniadio before Senegal came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in Kinshasa, helping the Lions of Téranga qualify, while the Léopards are in the play-offs.
Senegal vs DR Congo preview
These two were always likely to be the big-hitters in Group D, so can either continue their perfect start to this Africa Cup of Nations? In their group opener, Senegal swatted aside Botswana 3-0, with Nicolas Jackson bagging a brace, before Cherif Ndiaye secured victory late on. To underline how one-sided this match was, the Lions of Téranga had 28 shots, of which 17 were on target, created nine big chances and had 57 touches in the Zebras' box, while Botswana had only four shots.
Nevertheless, the challenges will get exponentially tougher for Pape Thiaw's team, but are they one of the favourites to go all the way? After losing in the AFCON finals of 2002 and 2019, Senegal finally got their hands on this trophy for the very first time in 2022, defeating Egypt on spot-kicks in Yaoundé. They did crash out of the most-recent edition in the round of 16, ousted by Côte d'Ivoire on penalties, but have improved since then, notably beating England 3-1 in a friendly in Nottingham back in June. So, will Senegal claim another noteworthy victory at Ibn Batouta Stadium?
As for DR Congo, they also have three points on the board, with Théo Bongonda's goal inside 15 minutes enough to defeat Benin at Al Medina Stadium on matchday one.
Like their opponents, the Leopards could be World Cup bound next summer. After ousting Cameroon and Nigeria in play-offs last month, Sébastien Desabre's side will face New Caledonia or Jamaica in March's inter-confederation play-off in Guadalajara for a spot at the tournament, having not featured since 1974. In AFCON terms, DR Congo were semi-finalists just last year, also dumped out by hosts and eventual winners Côte d'Ivoire, so are targeting another deep run. This heavyweight clash between two of Africa's best could go either-way, so will there be a winner in Ṭangier?
Senegal vs DR Congo head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 10.
- Senegal Wins: 6. Draws: 2. DR Congo Wins: 2.
Senegal team news
Pape Thiaw's team features plenty of expirenced, high-quality players, including goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who is set to win his 100th cap.
Only two other men in Senegalese history have reached that mark, namely Idrissa Gana Gueye and Sadio Mané, both of whom will also start, the latter doing so alongside Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaïla Sarr and Nicolas Jackson in a star-studded forward line.
Senegal predicted lineup vs DR Congo: (4-2-3-1): É Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhaté, Jakobs; Gana Gueye, Pape Gueye, Sarr, Ndiaye, Mané; Jackson.
Senegal player to watch vs DR Congo
Sadio Mané is, by some distance, Senegal's all-time leading scorer with 51, scoring at four different editions of AFCON, so can he make that five here?
DR Congo team news
All four members of Sébastien Desabre's backline are vastly experienced, with captain Chancel Mbemba currently at Lille, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe and Arthur Masuaku all ply their trade in the Premier League.
Further forward meantime, the Leopards also boast plenty of talent, including Sunderland's Noah Sadiki and Edo Kayembe of Watford.
DR Congo predicted lineup vs Senegal: (4-5-1): Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Masuaku; Sadiki, Kayembe, Moutoussamy, Bongonda, Mbuku; Bakambu.
DR Congo player to watch vs Senegal
In the battle of the veteran attackers, Cédric Bakambu has netted 20 times for DR Congo, on target when they met Senegal in Kinshasa as recently as September, so will he be their hero here?
Senegal vs DR Congo prediction
While both teams involved in this clash at Ibn Batouta Stadium are capable of winning AFCON, Senegal's superior talent gives them the edge to take victory in Ṭangier: Senegal 2-0 DR Congo.
Senegal vs DR Congo FAQs - Africa Cup of Nations
How to watch Senegal vs DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations on TV channel?
Senegal vs DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: 4seven
- USA: beIN SPORTS, fuboTV & Fanatiz USA
- Canada: beIN Sports Canada, fuboTV Canada & Fanatiz Canada
How to watch Senegal vs DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations on live streaming?
Senegal vs DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Channel4.com & Channel 4 Sport YouTube
- USA: beIN SPORTS CONNECT & fuboTV
- Canada: beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada & fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Senegal vs DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations?
Senegal vs DR Congo takes place on Saturday 27 December 2025, with kick off at 15:00 (GMT), 10:00 (ET) & 7:00 (PT).