Botswana vs DR Congo Live Today: Lineups, Kick-Off Time, Score Updates & Streaming for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Botswana vs DR Congo takes centre stage tonight in Rabat as Group D of AFCON 2025 reaches its climax. The already-eliminated Zebras are chasing their first point of the tournament, while the Leopards need only a draw to clinch a fifth consecutive knockout berth. Both sides arrive with contrasting momentum. Botswana have lost five straight Africa Cup of Nations matches and are still searching for their maiden goal against DR Congo after 450 competitive minutes without scoring. In stark contrast, Sébastien Desabre’s men are unbeaten in six group games dating back to 2023 and edged Benin before holding favourites Senegal to a 1-1 draw. Kick-off & broadcast • Stadium: Stade El Barid, Rabat • Time: 20:00 local (19:00 UTC) • TV: beIN Sports, CAF Online streaming Key storylines 1. Historic drought: Botswana’s attack has produced just one shot on target all tournament and has never breached DR Congo’s defence in their five-match series. 2. Bakambu milestone: Cedric Bakambu’s next strike will be DR Congo’s 97th at AFCON and could move him level with national legend Dieumerci Mbokani on five finals goals. 3. Permutations: A draw guarantees the Leopards at least second place; victory coupled with a Senegal slip could even hand them top spot. Botswana, meanwhile, are fighting to avoid matching Benin’s record six straight AFCON defeats. Tactical outlook • Botswana boss Didier Gomes-da-Rosa is expected to retain a compact 4-2-3-1, with Mothusi Cooper screening the back line and winger Kabelo Seakanyeng tasked with rare counter-attacks. • DR Congo’s 4-1-4-1 revolves around Arthur Masuaku’s overlaps and Samuel Moutoussamy’s distribution; expect sustained pressure and a high shot count, the Achilles heel that saw Botswana face 21 efforts on target in their first two games. • Set-pieces could decide it: the Leopards have won 18 corners so far, while Botswana conceded twice from dead-ball situations. Head-to-head snapshot P5 W2 DRC D3 L0; Goals 4-0 to DRC. The sides last met in a 2017 friendly that finished 2-0 to the Leopards. Players to watch • Botswana: Thatayaone Ditlhokwe – the centre-back completed 68 passes versus Benin and must marshal Bakambu. • DR Congo: Theo Bongonda – already on the scoresheet once, his direct running from the right will target Botswana’s slower full-backs. Prediction Form, firepower and history all favour DR Congo. Unless Botswana can conjure a first-ever AFCON clean sheet, the Leopards should march on with a comfortable 2-0 win, sealing their spot in the round of 16. Search-friendly takeaway Botswana vs DR Congo live today: AFCON 2025 Group D decider, kickoff time, TV channel, head-to-head stats, predicted line-ups and latest odds.