Saturday Dec 27, 2025. 17:14
Join AfricanFootball.com for LIVE updates from all 52 matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, as 24 teams battle for glory in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January.
Today’s matches:
14h30 – Benin 1-0 Botswana
17h00 – Senegal v DR Congo
19h30 – Uganda v Tanzania
22h00 – Nigeria v Tunisia
Updates:
15′ Senegal have enjoyed 69 per cent of the possession in the opening 15 minutes, but they’ve only created one chance of note thus far.
14′ Aaron Wan-Bissaka thinks he has scored, but DR Congo’s celebrations are cut short by the offside flag.
9′ – After a fairly low-key start to proceedings, we finally have some action as Nicolas Jackson is picked out on the edge of the box and he lines up a shot that flies just wide of the left post.
1′ – The referee gets the match underway at the Tangier Grand Stadium.
What was said:
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw: “We faced a very strong team, with a deep and compact defensive block. We could have scored more, but what stands out most is my team’s commitment and discipline.
“What I take away from this match is the team’s professionalism. The players followed instructions and got the job done.”
Man-of-the-Match Theo Bongonda (DR Congo): “It was a difficult match. Personally, I didn’t know Benin very well. When you look at this AFCON, no team wins easily.
“It’s true that we only scored one goal, but we took the three points. The most important thing is to keep moving forward and go as far as possible in this competition.”
The Leopards also made a winning start to the tournament as they edged Benin 1-0 on December 23 courtesy of Theo Bongonda’s 16th-minute goal. Sebastien Desabre’s side faced Senegal as recently as September 9 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier when they squandered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2, with Pape Matar Sarr scoring in the 87th minute to complete the comeback.
AFCON 2021 champions Senegal will be looking to build on their comfortable 3-0 victory over Botswana on December 23 which put them at the top of Group D. Nicolas Jackson (40′, 58′) and Cherif Ndiaye (90′) scored the goals as the Lions of Teranga started stronghly to record the biggest winning margin of the opening round alongside Algeria, who beat Sudan 3-0 on December 24.
Senegal v DR Congo starting line-ups:
Senegal: E. Mendy, K. Diatta, K. Koulibaly, M. Niakhate, I. Jakobs, I. Gueye, P. Gueye, I. Sarr, I. Ndiaye, S. Mane, N. Jackson.
DR Congo: L. Mpasi, A. Wan-Bissaka, C. Mbemba, A. Tuanzebe, A. Masuaku, S. Moutoussamy, T. Bongonda, N. Mukau, N. Sadiki, M. Elia, C. Bakambu.
Both teams will play theirr final group stage games on Tuesday.
Full-time: Benin 1-0 Botswana. The Cheetahs snap their run of 15 games at the finals without a win, whilst Botswana’s losing streak moves to five games
85’ The Cheetahs remain in front as Botswana are failing to do any real damage. The Zebra’s are running out of time to end their losing streak at the tournament. Benin has failed to grab hold of its chances to double its lead.
70’ Another chance missed for Benin. Roche’s cross misses defenders and its target alike, finding its way to Tamimou Ouorou at the edge of the box. His long shot takes a looping deflection, but is dealt with by goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko.
60’ The scoreline remains the same as neither side is able to produce any real chances. Botswana are starting to enjoy more possession and apply more pressure.
46’ The second half is underway at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium as the Zebras look to draw level.
Half-time: Benin 1-0 Botswana. Roche’s strike in the 28th minute separates the two sides. The Zebras have had chances, but have failed to capitalise on them as Benin dominates possession.
37’ The Zebras’ nearly pull one back. Mothusi Johnson strikes a well hit free-kick, curling up and over the wall, and striking the bar in an unlucky miss with goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou beaten.
28’ GOAL! Yohan Roche nets for the Cheetahs to open the scoring. Steve Mounie plays him into the box and his shot takes a fortunate deflection, looping over the goalkeeper. Benin 1-0 Botswana.
26’ Tumisang Orebonye misses a huge chance to put the Zebras in front. He mishits a volley from in front of goal – off of the rebound from a set piece – sending it over the crossbar.
13’ Botswana’s Kabelo Seakanyeng receives an early yellow card for a careless challenge on Junior Olaitan.
4’ Goal disallowed. Benin have an opener denied as Steve Mounie mistimes his run, rendering his assist null from an offside position.
1’ We are underway at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Starting line-ups:
Botswana: G. Phoko, A. Velaphi, M. Gaolaolwe, T. Ditlhokwe, M. Johnson, G. Mohutsiwa, L. Ditsele, K. Seakanyeng, T. Orebonye, L. Ratshukudu, O. Kebatho
Benin: M. Dandjinou, Y. Roche, O. Verdon, M. Tijani, T. Ouorou D. Dokou, S. D’Almeida, I. Hassane, J. Olaitan, S. Mounie, O. Aiyegun
Should the Zebras lose, they will join Benin as the second country to lose all five of its first five matches at the AFCON finals.
Botswana has continued to struggle at the continental showpiece, losing its opening game 3-0 to Senegal to extend its losing streak at the tournament to four games. Similarly, Benin has lost its last 15 matches at the AFCON finals after falling 1-0 to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) in its opening fixture.
This will be the first ever meeting between the two countries.
2:02pm – Matchday two continues at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco as Botswana take on Benin at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Kick-off is at 2:30pm CAT.