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DR Congo carry fine form into Benin clash – 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

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DR Congo players celebrate after defeating Nigeria and securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup during the 2026 World Cup Qualifier CAF Play-Offs football match between the Nigeria and RD Congo at Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium, 16 November 2026. ©Nabil Ramdani/BackpagePix

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Staff Reporter

Monday Dec 22, 2025. 13:00

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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and Benin are set for a first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) meeting at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday, beginning group D’s battle for the knockout stages.

Kick-off is at 2:30pm CAT.

DR Congo enjoyed a successful 2025, winning five and losing only one of their six group stage FIFA World Cup qualifiers, earning a spot in the African playoffs.

The Leopards’ success continued with a 1-0 win over Cameroon in the continent’s play-off semi-finals before the Leopards defeated Nigeria in the final to book its spot at the FIFA Play-Off Tournament in March.

DR Congo exceeded expectations at the previous edition, reaching the semi-finals and falling to hosts and eventual champions Ivory Coast. The nation missed out on a podium finish, losing to South Africa in a penalty shootout to be denied the bronze medal.

The two-time champions will be looking to go a step further at this year’s tournament and return to the top of the pile.

Appearing at the finals for the fifth time, Benin will be looking to win its first game from open play at the tournament.

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The Cheetahs have played 14 previous games at the tournament, drawing five and losing nine.

Despite its record at the competition, the country impressed at the 2019 edition, reaching the quarterfinals. The Cheetahs drew each of their three group games before defeating Morocco on penalties in the round of 16 after a 1-1 draw. They crashed-out at the hands of Senegal, losing 1-0 in the quarterfinals.

Benin will be relying on the expertise of head coach Gernot Rohr, who is making his fourth appearance at the finals with his fourth team. He helped guide Nigeria to a third place finish in 2019 and will be looking to achieve new heights with Benin.

The two sides have met on two previous occasions, both in qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Their first clash, hosted in Benin, ended in a 1-1 draw before DR Congo claimed a 2-0 win at home.

By Nic Gleeson

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Ludek Miklosko: Ex-West Ham goalkeeper dies aged 64

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Ludek Miklosko wearing a West Ham scarf and waving

Former West Ham, QPR and Czech Republic goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko has died at the age of 64.

Miklosko made almost 400 appearances for the Hammers from 1990 to 1998 and was much loved by supporters, who regularly sang his name long after he left the club.

He later returned as a goalkeeping coach.

Miklosko withdrew from cancer treatment in December 2024, three years after his diagnosis.

Days later he returned to West Ham’s London Stadium for a Premier League match against Liverpool to a hero’s reception.

A West Ham statement read: “It is with deep and profound sadness that West Ham United announces the passing of legendary former goalkeeper and coach, Luděk Miklosko.

“Rest in peace Ludek, our beloved, inspirational goalkeeper and gentle giant of a man.”

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US Open 2026 results: Alexander Zverev beats Ben Shelton for second Grand Slam title

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Alexander Zverev celebrates with the US Open trophy

Going into the 2026 season, few people would have backed Zverev to win two Grand Slam tournaments, with the German having already lost three major finals in a career which looked in danger of not living up to expectation.

But injuries to his biggest rivals – Alcaraz missing the French Open and Wimbledon, with Sinner ruled out of the US Open – opened the door for Zverev.

A below-par Zverev scraped through the opening rounds at Flushing Meadows in a series of early-morning finishes, but he gradually improved over a fortnight where he did not play a top-20 opponent until Shelton.

Zverev had not lost to Shelton in their five previous meetings and immediately capitalised on a nervy start by his opponent.

Shelton double-faulted on break point in the first game of the match, handing over the type of initiative that opponents often struggle to wrestle back from Zverev.

Through the strength of his first serve, and his ability to unpick Shelton’s weaker backhand in the baseline exchanges, Zverev rolled through the opening set and clinched it when Shelton hit another double fault on set point.

Zverev continued to patiently draw mistakes from Shelton in the second set, but without being gifted a break when his only opportunity arrived in the fourth game.

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He instead showed why he has a strong tie-break record with another nerveless display and, unlike in the 2020 US Open final when he lost from a two-set lead, kept his composure in the pressure moments to secure a commanding victory.

Addressing his team which is led by his father Alexander senior and brother Mischa, Zverev said: “We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title and now won two in the span of three months.

“I think God has seen how hard we have worked, how hard we have suffered and how much pain we went through.

“I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before.”

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Erling Haaland goal: Was Haaland’s derby winner a VAR error?

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Erling Haaland scores for Man City

With Haaland’s goal settling the match, United were unsurprisingly disappointed by the decision.

“I think it was offside,” said Martinez. “And what I can’t understand is the rules. I want to be calm now, I want to control myself.

“It’s so hard because you lose a derby, you lose three points at home, and every season they’re [referees] coming to our club, they explain for one hour the rules, and they look so confident with that, and then after [there are] five or six people doing these kind of mistakes in the Premier League – it’s unacceptable.

“It’s the best league in the world, you have the best teams in the world, the best players in the world, and now we have to go home with this injustice.”

United boss Carrick also expressed his confusion.

“We put things in place in the game now, we have people in offices with all the screens for this decision,” he said.

“It’s more worrying about if that’s the interpretation of football now. If that’s the interpretation of not interfering in the game now, that’s really worrying for me. It’s a staggering explanation.

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“The decision isn’t going to change the season, but it’s had a major impact on the game.”

Wayne Rooney, part of the BBC’s MOTD2 team, said: “Surely it’s offside. Martinez is impacted by Fernandez’s movement, and he is offside.”

Gary Neville said on Sky Sports: “I think we’ll see some sort of apology from the referee’s association, there’s no doubt Fernandez is playing that ball and is trying to put off Martinez. I think it’s one they’ll recognising they got wrong.”

Micah Richards added: “I think it’s been a bad day for referees. They got the Foden decision wrong and the Fernandez decision wrong. I think they got it so wrong but I don’t think it takes anything away from City’s performance.”

Meanwhile, City boss Maresca said: “I think it was onside clearly so it’s good.”

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