DR Congo-Benin (1-0): “Too bad for such a big tournament”, down for 15 minutes, the VAR may have cost the Beninese a penalty

First hiccup at the 2025 African Cup of Nations. And first feeling of injustice for Benin. This Tuesday, while demanding a penalty against the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Beninese had the misfortune to learn that the VAR was broken. An astonishing situation, which also disconcerted the referee, and which is already causing a lot of talk.

“We were robbed,” Internet users are already exclaiming on social networks. These refer to a sequence on the hour mark. Trailing 1-0 following Théo Bongonda’s goal, Gernot Rohr’s men claimed a penalty for a handball in the area. With his hand to his ear, the referee seemed to indicate that the VAR was broken and that it was impossible to review the action. After five minutes of interruption, the technical problem was confirmed.

“It’s a shame for us”

Fifteen minutes later, however, it was resolved and video assistance was available for the last quarter of an hour of play. Too late for the Cheetahs, who will probably complain of having lost a hypothetical point unfairly. However, they were saved by the same VAR in the 48th minute when Cédric Bakambu’s goal was canceled for offside.

“I don’t know what happened, people wrote to me a lot to tell me that there was a hand in the area and I don’t know if the VAR was working at that moment,” reacted Beninese defender Olivier Verdon in the mixed zone. It’s regrettable. We’ll see it in our heads but if there was a hand and the VAR didn’t work that’s a shame for us. »

Benin coach Gernot Rohr was also very disappointed: “I think it’s a shame for such a big tournament to see so many problems. It harms football, it harms the game and it can disrupt teams.”

With zero points, Benin is already in a delicate position with a view to qualifying for the round of 16. The Beninese still have to face Senegal and Botswana in the next two matches.