DR Congo showed no mercy at the Africa Cup of Nations, sweeping aside Botswana and effectively ending their brief and painful chapter in the tournament’s history.

Botswana finished the competition as clear outsiders, unable to collect even a single point. Against DR Congo, they were once again overwhelmed, conceding a flurry of goals in a one-sided contest that exposed the gulf in quality between the two teams.

The statistics tell a brutal story. Bottom of Group D, three defeats from three matches, and not a single goal scored — a campaign that will be remembered more for its struggles than its moments.

For DR Congo, the night was about efficiency and authority. They played with confidence, controlled the game from start to finish, and secured safe passage into the knockout stages without unnecessary drama.

The reward is a heavyweight clash in the round of 16, where DR Congo will face Algeria.

2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Botswana - DR Congo 0:3 (0:2)
Goals: Mbuku, 31 (0:1); Kakuta, 41 (0:2); Kakuta, 60 (0:3)

Botswana: Phoko; Leinanyane; Ditlhokwe (Kopelang, 46); Gaolaolwe; Johnson M.; Mohutsiwa (Modingwane, 71); Cooper; Seakanyeng (Molefe, 56); Sesinyi; Boy (Orebonye, 56); Baruti (Enosa, 71)
Substitution: Kopelang (from 46); Molefe (from 56); Orebonye (from 56); Modingwane (from 71); Enosa (from 71)
Bench: Dambe; Kgosipula; Velaphi; Ngada; Ramotse; Ditsele; Kgamanyane; Kebatho; Maponda; Ratshkudu

DR Congo: Mpasi; Bushiri; Mbemba; Kalulu; Mukau; Kakuta (Essende, 74); Pickel (Sadiki, 74); Mbuku (Balikwisha M-A., 57); Kayembe; Elia (Bongonda, 57); Mayele (Cipenga Brian, 89)
Substitution: Balikwisha M-A. (from 57); Bongonda (from 57); Sadiki (from 74); Essende (from 74); Cipenga Brian (from 89)
Bench: Fayulu; Epolo; Kapuadi; Tuanzebe; Batubinsika; Kayembe E.; Wan-Bissaka; Moutoussamy; Bakambu; Banza