AFCON 2025: Gael Kakuta named Man of the Match in DR Congo’s victory over Botswana – Ghana Latest Football News, Live Scores, Results

Gael Kakuta delivered an impressive efficiency, incomes Man of the Match honors in DR Congo’s dominant 3-0 win towards Botswana at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat, clinching second place in Group D at AFCON 2025.

The skilled playmaker was concerned in all three targets, driving Les Leopards into the Spherical of 16 with actual authority.

Kakuta first lit up the sport with a intelligent backheel that sliced open the Botswana defence and launched Nathaniel Mbuku, who stretched to show the ball dwelling after 31 minutes. DR Congo’s aggressive begin and excessive press stored Botswana pinned again, with Charles Pickel and Fiston Mayele additionally going shut earlier than the break.

Simply earlier than half-time, a VAR assessment noticed a handball by Thabo Leinanyane within the field, and Kakuta stepped as much as bury the penalty, doubling the lead and underlining DR Congo’s management. On the hour, he struck once more, cushioning Theo Bongonda’s cross and calmly choosing his spot to finish his brace.

Botswana, already out after two defeats, struggled to reply and even noticed a late DR Congo fourth dominated out by VAR, as Sébastien Desabre’s facet comfortably managed the closing phases to seal a sophisticated win and arrange a last-16 conflict with Algeria.