AFCON 2025 Group D Predictions: Two former champions to progress

Senegal, who won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, begin their 2025 campaign next Tuesday against Botswana in Group D, while they will also face tests against DR Congo and Benin.

Below you will find my Group D predictions, alongside previews for each team and Betfred's latest Afcon odds.

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Africa Cup of Nations Odds

Benin

Fifa world ranking: 92

To win the group: 8/1

Gernot Rohr is in charge of Benin, and this is his fifth post in charge of an African national team. His last role was with Nigeria, having spent five years with the Super Eagles, delivering them third place at the 2019 edition, which was held in Egypt.

Rohr has been in charge of Benin since 2023, and this is the Cheetahs' first appearance at the Afcon finals since 2019, where they made it to the quarter-finals, their best performance to date.

They may be a Pot 3 side but they will be eyeing up one of the top two spots. Assuming Senegal finish top, it could be a shoot-out between Benin and DR Congo - sorry, Botswana.

Key player: Steve Mounie

Former Huddersfield Town striker Steve Mounie, who is currently plying his trade out in Turkey with Alanyaspor, is likely to be Benin's figurehead in Morocco. He's the frontman and their captain.

His 22 goals for the Cheetahs are currently only bettered by Stephane Sessegnon (24), so this is a record he will look to break over the next few weeks. Mounie is the second-most capped player in the squad (66) behind veteran midfielder Jodel Dossou (72).

Injuries have disrupted Mounie's start to the season in Turkey, and he may not be at his freshest heading into Afcon, but time and again, he has delivered for his country, so he's likely to be an important player for them again.

Prediction: I think Benin can push DR Congo for a top-two spot, but right now I would lean towards the Leopards. However, they could be one of the best third-placed sides to progress to the knockouts because I reckon they will get past Botswana.

Football Odds

Botswana

Fifa world ranking: 138

To win the group: 25/1

Botswana are huge underdogs in Group D, let alone the tournament as a whole. They only finished behind Egypt in Group C of qualifying, though, having beaten both Mauritania and Cape Verde, with the latter competing at the 2026 World Cup.

The Zebras have been part of Caf since 1978 but they have only reached the Afcon finals once in their history which came in 2012, which was shared between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. They finished bottom of their group with three defeats.

They will look for better fortune this time around but they have a very tough set of opponents in Senegal, DR Congo and Benin.

Key player: Kabelo Seakanyeng

Striker Kabelo Seakanyeng is the highest scorer in Botswana's squad heading to Morocco. The 32-year-old has 10 goals in 69 outings for his country.

Prediction: Stats lovers Opta have Botswana with a 0.2% chance of winning Afcon, and that does line up given how difficult the task of getting out of the group stage will be for the Zebras.

They are not blessed with any star-studded names, with the bulk of their squad playing domestically, so coming up against players who are playing in some of the best competitions in the world certainly gives them a tall order for finishing above fourth in Group D.

DR Congo

Fifa world ranking: 56

To win the group: 3/1

DR Congo command a lot of respect on this stage with two titles to their name (1968 and 1974). The Leopards have delivered some good performances in recent tournaments, with a third-place finish in 2015 and a fourth-place finish in the last edition in 2023.

They have progressed from the group stage in each of their last four appearances at the Afcon finals. After their performance two years ago in the Ivory Coast, there will be a lot more eyes fixated on DR Congo this time around, and some do believe they have a shot of landing a third crown - and Betfred currently have them at 33/1 to do that.

The Leopards have a lot of overseas talent in their ranks, with a number coming from the Premier League.

Key player: Noah Sadiki

Noah Sadiki is one of the Premier League stars representing DR Congo in Morocco, and he will be sorely missed by Sunderland for the next few weeks. The midfielder has formed a strong partnership in midfield with Granit Xhaka at club level, and he has delivered some standout performances in the middle of the park for the Black Cats this season.

I can see this translating onto the Afcon stage and Sadiki proving to be a very important figure for DR Congo. He may not be the most experienced member of the squad, but the 20-year-old makes up for that in energy and execution.

Prediction: In my head, it is a case of DR Congo and Senegal going through as the top two in Group D, but I am unsure who will finish above the other. Senegal are the favourites and rightly so, but DR Congo offer the better value for money to top the group.

I think their meeting will determine who wins Group D, and right now I would favour Senegal.

Senegal

Fifa world ranking: 19

To win the group: 2/5

A disappointing round-of-16 exit at the 2023 Afcon cost Aliou Cisse his job in October 2024. A lot more was expected from the Lions of Teranga as they were the defending champions.

There is a lot of hope surrounding them this time around, as they have a squad that most of their rivals will be envious of. They have a blend of figures who have been around a long time and those who are being tipped to pioneer the next generation.

Pape Thiaw has already guided Senegal to the 2026 World Cup finals, and he will want to follow that up by delivering his country its second Afcon crown. With the talent at his disposal, his side should go far in the tournament, but it takes a lot more to go all the way.

Key player: Ismaila Sarr

You may be surprised at this, given that Sadio Mane is still around, but the truth is that Senegal's all-time top scorer is 33 now, and he is looking to pass the pressures of being the main man to someone else.

I can see the former Liverpool man playing an important role in Morocco, but I think we could be set to see some standout displays from Ismaila Sarr. The fellow attacker looks to be reaching the peak of his powers, and he is currently playing brilliantly for Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

His pace, trickery and quality in front of goal can pose problems for any team in this tournament, and I fancy the winger to have a memorable campaign.

Prediction: Given the abundance of quality within their ranks, Senegal should have no real issues with topping Group D. Obviously, DR Congo will have something to say about that, but I think the Lions of Teranga will roar and head into the knockout stage with plenty of momentum behind them.

After the disappointment in the 2023 edition, I am expecting a big response from them here.