AFCON 2025: a South African referee for the Benin vs DR Congo clash
The CAF has appointed the referee who will officiate the match between Benin and the DRC this Tuesday, a fixture in the group stage of AFCON 2025. The African governing body has named South African referee Tom Abongile.
Des arbitres africains
The Confederation of African Football has revealed the identity of the referee selected for the Benin – DRC match this Tuesday, which counts as the first matchday of Group D at AFCON 2025. The CAF chose South African official Tom Abongile. Experienced, the referee is a regular in African competitions. His task will be to ensure the smooth running of this encounter, already decisive for both sides.
For its fifth appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, Benin will have to cope with a loss of starters for its opening match. The Cheetahs will indeed be without four key players for the inaugural game against the Congolese. Mohamed Tijani, Junior Olaitan, Marcel Dandjinou and captain Steve Mounié will each serve a suspension, a direct consequence of accumulated bookings during the qualifying campaign. This mass absence inevitably weakens coach Gernot Rohr’s plans, forcing him to rebuild a usually well-established core.
Opposite them, the DRC, coming in as the reigning semi-finalists, start as favourites against the Beninese. The Leopards boast major talents such as Cédric Bakambu, capable of causing serious damage to opponents. DRC coach Sébastien Desabre, however, remains cautious ahead of this clash. The French coach even expects a tough match against the Cheetahs. “We will face very strong teams in our group. Benin, a team I know well, has implemented a solid development program for several years and the progress is visible, notably under Gernot Rohr’s leadership. Benin has improved; we should be wary of them.” See you tomorrow at 1:30 PM (GMT+1) at Rabat’s El Barid Stadium for the conclusion.