The Benin Republic national football team, the Cheetahs, have taken formal action following a controversial defeat in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The team has submitted an official petition to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after a video assistant referee (VAR) system failure denied them a clear penalty against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Controversial Incident That Sparked the Petition
Benin fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat on December 23, 2025, after DR Congo's Theo Bongonda scored from a defensive error. However, the match's major flashpoint occurred in the second half when DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba appeared to handle the ball inside his own penalty area.
South African centre referee Abongile Tom proceeded to review the incident on the VAR monitor, as is standard protocol. To the astonishment of the Benin bench and players, the technology was not functioning at that critical moment. With no video evidence to consult, the referee could not award the penalty, a decision that potentially cost Benin a chance to equalise.
Footage and reports confirmed the malfunction, leaving head coach Gernot Rohr visibly furious on the touchline as match officials attempted to explain the situation.
Formal Complaint and Tournament Implications
According to journalist Micky Jnr, the Benin Football Federation has now lodged a formal grievance with CAF over the incident. This marks the first significant case of technology failure in the tournament, casting an unfortunate shadow over the event's organisation.
The petition underscores the high stakes of AFCON matches, where a single decision can determine a team's progression. Prior to this incident, the tournament had seen two other penalties, both saved, but none were marred by technical issues.
Reactions from the Camp and Opponents
Despite the controversy, Coach Gernot Rohr chose to focus on his team's positive performance. "We witnessed a very good football match that did not deserve to have a loser. My team made me proud. It was the first time we played with this system," Rohr told CAF Online. He immediately shifted focus to their next Group C match against Botswana, noting the return of suspended players.
DR Congo's match-winner, Theo Bongonda, who was named Man of the Match, acknowledged Benin's strong challenge. "It was a difficult match. Personally, I didn’t know Benin very well. When you look at this AFCON, no team wins easily," he stated, emphasising the importance of securing the three points.
This is not the first time DR Congo has faced a eligibility petition; the Nigeria Football Federation previously challenged the eligibility of some Congolese players during World Cup playoffs, alleging they failed to meet constitutional requirements for a switch of allegiance.
The outcome of Benin's petition to CAF is now awaited, as it raises serious questions about the reliability of technology in high-stakes African football.
