A much-changed DR Congo eased to victory over already-eliminated Botswana at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) but ultimately had to settle for second place in Group D.

The Leopards were already assured of a spot in the last 16 ahead of kick-off in Rabat and began the final round of fixtures behind table-topping Senegal on goal difference.

Nathanael Mbuku slid in to meet Gael Kakuta's smart backheel to open the scoring just after the half-hour mark, and 10 minutes later a penalty from former Chelsea player Kakuta made it 2-0 to the Central Africans.

The spot-kick had been awarded after Meschack Elia's cross struck the hand of Thabo Leinanyane, with referee Ahmad Heeralall sent to his pitch-side monitor by the video assistant referee (VAR).

Kakuta, who was not even in DR Congo's initial squad but called up after an injury to Mario Stroeykens, added the third in the 60th minute when he converted a cut-back from substitute Theo Bongonda.

Fiston Mayele had a potential fourth ruled out for handball midway through the second half - despite the ball appearing to hit the part of his upper arm which was covered by his shirt sleeve - and Bongonda failed to convert three late chances.

Senegal's 3-0 win over Benin meant the West Africans finish above the Leopards by a two-goal margin.

DR Congo remain in the Moroccan capital but will face a tough last-16 match against fellow two-time champions Algeria on Tuesday, 6 January (16:00 GMT).

After drawing with Senegal 1-1 on Saturday, DR Congo needed the Teranga Lions to drop points or better the West Africans' margin of victory over Benin by three goals to top the group.

Boss Sebastien Desabre made seven changes to his starting XI, with playmaker Bongonda and striker Cedric Bakambu among those dropping out.

The Leopards briefly moved to the summit after taking the lead, but Abdoulaye Seck's goal for the Teranga Lions in Tangier restored the West Africans' advantage.

At 3-0 ahead, the Leopards had an identical record to the Senegalese, which would have entailed the drawing of lots to decide top spot, while Mayele's potential fourth, which was disallowed after another intervention by VAR, could have won them the group.

In the end, Cherif Ndiaye's late penalty for Senegal settled matters, sparing Bongonda's blushes after he sent a header over, missed his kick with the goal gaping and then had a low effort saved by the outstretched leg of Botswana goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko in stoppage time.

The Congolese upset continental heavyweights Cameroon and Nigeria in continental play-offs for the 2026 Fifa World Cup last month, and Algeria will be wary of their opponents as Desabre looks to better their fourth-placed finish from the 2023 edition.

Botswana, meanwhile, end their second appearance at the finals both goalless and pointless, having also exited in the group stage on their Afcon debut in 2012.