Benin can have serious regrets after their entry into the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco-2025. Facing DR Congo on Tuesday in Group D, the Cheetahs suffered a narrow defeat (1-0), at the end of a match marked by a controversial refereeing decision linked to a VAR malfunction.

The match started at a frantic pace, with the Congolese team looking more clinical in the opening minutes. Capitalizing on a Benin defensive error, Théo Bongonda opened the scoring in the 16th minute. The Leopards then sought to protect their lead against an increasingly enterprising Benin side.

Far from being discouraged, the men of coach Gernot Rohr gradually took control of the game, multiplying their attacks and putting pressure on the Congolese defense.

At the hour mark, a major turning point could have changed the course of the match: a handball by Chancel Mbemba in the Congolese penalty area, visible to the naked eye, should have resulted in a penalty for Benin.

But then came a dramatic turn of events: at the moment of the play, VAR was no longer functioning. Without video assistance, the referee allowed play to continue, much to the dismay of the Benin players and staff. It was a decision with serious consequences, as the equalizer seemed well-deserved for the combative and well-organized Cheetahs.

This technical failure is likely to cause a heated controversy on the Beninese side, especially since the team's overall performance suggested at least a draw.

Defeated, but far from being ridiculous, Benin leaves frustrated from this first day and will have to quickly regroup for the rest of the competition, with the bitter feeling of having been deprived of a legitimate opportunity to get back on level terms.

For the next matches, Benin will face Botswana on December 27 before taking on Senegal on December 30.