Nicolas Jackson of Senegal celebrates goal during 2025 Africa Cup of Nations match between Senegal and Botswana on the 23 December 2025 at Grand Stadium Tangier ©Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Tuesday Dec 23, 2025. 19:25
A star-studded Senegal side thrashed Botswana 3-0 in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D fixture at the Tangier Grand Stadium in Tangier, Morocco, on Tuesday evening.
As a result, Lions of Teranga got off to a winning start and they will face DR Congo, who defeated Benin 1-0 on Tuesday, on Saturday. The Zebras, on the other hand, marked their return to Africa’s most prestigious football tournament with a defeat and they take on a wounded Benin side on Saturday.
It became the Lions of Teranga versus Goitseone Phoko, who was between the sticks for the Zebras, from the first whistle. The Jwaneng Galaxy goalkeeper produced four brilliant saves to deny Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mane and Iliman Ndiaye (twice) in the opening 20 minutes of the match.
Two-time CAF African Footballer of the Year Mane was denied for the second time in the 26th minute, with Phoko making a superb save. However, Phoko was finally beaten five minutes before half-time when Iliman Ndiaye fired home a sublime cross from Ismail Jakobs and Senegal were enjoying a 1-0 lead at the interval.
Jackson was hungry for goals after the restart and the Bayern Munich marksman grabbed his brace in the 58th minute after a brilliant individual effort, with Ismaila Sarr providing the assist. The goal dampened the Botswana players’ spirits, ending their hopes of fighting back.
However, Phoko continued to make some eye-catching saves as the former Gaborone United star blocked efforts from Mane (twice) and Sarr in the last 25 minutes of the match. Senegal’s 3-0 victory was sealed after two substitutes combined fantastically in the 90th minute – Cherif Ndiaye turning home Cheick Sabaly’s cross.
Senegal (1) 3 (Jackson 40′, 58′, C. Ndiaye 90′)
Botswana (0) 0
Senegal: Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhaté, Jakobs; I. Gueye, P. Gueye (Camara 69′); I. Ndiaye (Mbaye 69′), Jackson (C. Ndiaye 78′), I. Sarr (Sabaly 88′); Mane (Ciss 78′)
Botswana: Phoko; Ditlhokwe, Velaphi, Gaolaolwe, Johnson; Mohutsiwa (Modingwane 80′), Ditsele, Kebatho (Sesinyi 61′); Cooper (Baruti 81′), Orebonye (Maponda 61′), Seakanyeng (Kgamanyane 80′)