Theo Bongonda scored the only goal as DR Congo opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-fought win over Benin in Rabat.

Bongonda capitalised on some woeful defending to move his country to the top of Group D ahead of this afternoon’s game between Senegal and Botswana.

Benin battled hard but were unable to find a route back into a contest lacking in quality.

DRC started well and enjoyed the bulk of the possession in the opening quarter of an hour and it was no surprise when they took the lead, although it did come in slightly odd circumstances.

Arthur Masuaku’s long punt forward ought to have been meat and drink for the Benin defenders but they surprisingly opted to let the ball bounce and Bongonda didn’t need a second invitation, stealing in to fire left-footed past Saturnin Allagbe.

Benin battle back

It seemed tailor-made for DRC to go on and dominate the game but Benin battled back impressively, albeit without offering much of a cutting edge.

Doku Dodo nodded wide and then lashed a shot over the bar with the best two first-half opportunities for the Cheetahs.

Although they were no longer dominating the midfield battle, DRC still carried more attacking threat and only a superb last-ditch block prevented Cédric Bakambu from making it 2-0 after 28 minutes.

Bakumbu thought he had gone one better two minutes into the second half when he got on the end of Nathanael Mbuku’s left-wing cross to guide a header past Allagbe. A lengthy VAR check ruled the goal out, however, with Mbuku adjudged offside when receiving Noah Sadiki’s pass.

Bakumbu thwarted again

Veteran striker Bakumbu was enduring a frustrating afternoon and he squandered another chance with 20 minutes to go, seeing his low shot smothered wide by Allagbe.

Benin pushed forward in the latter stages but DRC held firm despite one or two nervous moments from goalkeeper Lionel M’Pasi N’Zau, although he did pull off one excellent save to deny Aiyegun Tosin.