Yohan Cedric Roche of Benin celebrates goal during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Benin and Botswana at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on 27 December 2025 ©Samuel ShivambuBackpagePix
Saturday Dec 27, 2025. 16:22
Benin snapped its 15-match winless streak at the Africa Cup of Nations finals, beating Botswana 1-0 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Saturday.
The Cheetahs managed a third clean sheet in their history of participation at the continental showpiece in the first ever meeting between the two countries.
Botswana’s dismay at the tournament continues as the Zebras have now lost all five of their matches in competition history.
Benin now sits on three points in group D and are in with a chance for knockout-stage qualification, separating itself from the Zebras at the bottom, who are yet to register a point at this year’s edition.
Benin had an early opener disallowed in the fourth minute as Steve Mounié mistimed his run, rendering his assist null from an offside position.
The Cheetahs had another early opportunity in the seventh minute as Aiyegun Tosin attempted the spectacular, going for a bicycle kick attempt. However, his attempt could not find the target.
In the 26th minute, Tumisang Orebonye missed a huge chance to put the Zebras in front. The ball fell to him in front of goal from a Botswanan set-piece, but mis-hit his volley attempt, sending what should have been an opening goal well over the bar.
The Cheetahs’ opened the scoring in the 28th minute through Yohan Roche. Steve Mounié played the left-back into the box and his following shot took a fortunate deflection, looping over goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko and into the back of the net.
The Zebras’ Mothusi Johnson nearly leveled the score with a well-struck free-kick in the 37th minute. He curled his effort up and over the wall, striking the bar in an unlucky miss with goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou beaten.
Benin failed to double its lead in the 65th minute, missing a golden opportunity in front of goal. Tamimou Ouorou’s shot from just inside the area going into the bottom corner produced a brilliant save from Phoko. The rebound fell to Mounié in the 6-yard-box, but he missed the killer blow from point-blank range.
The Cheetahs continued to search for a second goal and came close in the 70th minute. Roche’s cross missed defenders and its target alike, finding its way to Ouorou at the edge of the box. His long shot took a looping deflection, but was dealt with by Phoko.
They missed another golden opportunity in the 92nd minute to seal the win. Junior Olaitan found Dodo Dokou in a tight space in the box, but the midfielder failed to finish from close range.
The Cheetahs will look to claim at least a point and secure their place in the knockout stage when they face Senegal in their final group game at the Grand Stade de Tanger on Tuesday.
The Zebras will be playing for pride and end their losing run when they tackle the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat on the same day.
Benin (1) (Roche 28’)
Botswana 0
Botswana: G. Phoko, A. Velaphi, M. Gaolaolwe, T. Ditlhokwe, M. Johnson, G. Mohutsiwa (T. Maponda 86’), L. Ditsele (M. Cooper 46’), K. Seakanyeng, T. Orebonye (S. Boy 46’), L. Ratshukudu (G. Baruti 46’), O. Kebatho (T. Sesinyi 59’)
Benin: M. Dandjinou, Y. Roche, O. Verdon, M. Tijani, T. Ouorou D. Dokou, S. D’Almeida (S. Attidjikou 54’), I. Hassane, J. Olaïtan, S. Mounié, T. Aiyegun (S. Attidjikou 82’)
By Nic Gleeson