Rabat, Morocco – Senegal secured a resounding 3-1 victory over Botswana in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, held in Morocco on Tuesday.
Senegal met Botswana at the Tangier stadium, in the first round of the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Senegal started the match strongly. Nicholas Jackson threatened Botswana’s goal in the 5th minute with a shot from inside the penalty area, but the goalkeeper made the save. The rebound fell to Pape Gueye, who unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box, but the ball sailed over the crossbar.
Sadio Mane, the Senegalese player, also had a powerful header in the sixth minute, which was saved by the Botswana goalkeeper.
The Botswana goalkeeper continued his outstanding performance in the match, after he saved a powerful shot from Elman Ndiaye from the edge of the penalty area.
Senegal opened the scoring in the 40th minute, through Nicholas Jackson.
The goal came after he met a cross inside the penalty area with a powerful shot that found the back of the net.
Jackson returned to add the second goal for Senegal in the 58th minute.
The goal came after he received the ball inside the penalty area, dribbled past the Botswana defenders, and shot the ball into the goal.
نيكولاس جاكسون يعزّز تفوّق السنغال بإحرازه الهدف الثاني في شباك بوتسوانا! ⚽🔥#كأس_أمم_أفريقيا#AFCON2025 | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/EBoy2OPfCB
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) December 23, 2025Sherif Ndiaye completed the Lions of Teranga’s hat-trick in the 90th minute, meeting a cross inside the box with a shot that found the back of the net.
With that result, Senegal earned their first three points, topping Group D. Botswana finished fourth with no points.
