Rampant Senegal maul Botswana in dominant opening win
Senegal began their AFCON 2025 campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Botswana at the Grand Stade de Tanger in Tangier on Tuesday with Nicolas Jackson striking twice before Cherif Ndiaye sealed the win late on, leaving the Teranga Lions top of their group.
Senegal controlled proceedings from the start, dictating tempo and possession against a resilient but overwhelmed Botswana side. The breakthrough came in the 40th minute when Nicolas Jackson finished clinically after sustained pressure.
Jackson doubled his tally in the 58th minute, capitalizing on a well-worked move that highlighted Senegal’s fluid attacking play. Botswana, though organized defensively, struggled to cope with Senegal’s pace and creativity, and their resistance finally broke in stoppage time when Cherif Ndiaye added a third goal to put the result beyond doubt.
Senegal’s midfield duo of Idrissa Gueye and Pape Gueye controlled the center of the pitch, recycling possession and breaking down Botswana’s rare counterattacks. Sadio Mané and Ismaïla Sarr provided width and constant threat, stretching Botswana’s backline.
On the defensive end, Kalidou Koulibaly marshaled the back four with authority, ensuring goalkeeper Édouard Mendy had little to do. For Botswana, goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe was their standout performer, making 14 saves to keep the scoreline respectable despite relentless Senegalese pressure.
This result underlines Senegal’s status as one of the tournament favorites. Their ability to combine defensive discipline with attacking flair makes them a formidable opponent. Botswana, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly, as their lack of cutting edge in attack was evident—they failed to register a single shot on target. For Senegal, the win not only secures three points but also sends a strong message to the rest of the competition: the Teranga Lions are here to dominate AFCON 2025.
Match Stats
| Statistic | Senegal 🇸🇳 | Botswana 🇧🇼 |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 67.6% | 32.4% |
| Goals | 3 N. Jackson ⚽⚽ C. Ndiaye ⚽ | 0 |
| Shots (total) | 28 | 4 |
| Shots on target | 17 | 0 |
| Saves | 0 | 14 |
| Corner Kicks | 7 | 2 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 2 |
