The 2021 AFCON champions Senegal open their campaign against Botswana at the Grand Stade de Tanger on Tuesday, with the Lions of Teranga among the favourites to lift the trophy in Morocco.
Senegal: Favourites in Formidable Form
Under new coach Pape Thiaw, Senegal have looked imperious. Their qualifying campaign was near-perfect – unbeaten across six matches with just one goal conceded, the joint-best defensive record alongside Mali. The build-up to the tournament has been equally impressive: a historic 3-1 victory over England in June, followed by an emphatic 8-0 demolition of Kenya in their final warm-up.
The squad is loaded with European quality. Sadio Mané enters his sixth AFCON at 32, still the talismanic figure despite no longer being at his peak. Around him, Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace) has been in devastating form this season with 10 goal involvements in 20 Premier League appearances. Nicolas Jackson leads the line, while Iliman Ndiaye and Pape Matar Sarr provide midfield creativity.
Captain Kalidou Koulibaly anchors the defence, with Edouard Mendy in goal. The only notable absence is winger Assane Diao, ruled out with a thigh injury, though Thiaw has confirmed all other squad members are fit following earlier concerns over Sarr, Habib Diarra and Ismail Jakobs.
Botswana: Historic Return After 13 Years
This is only Botswana's second AFCON finals appearance, having last featured in 2012 when they lost all three group matches. Qualification this time was sealed through a gutsy 1-1 draw with Egypt in November 2024 – a result that sparked wild celebrations across the country.
The Zebras arrive as significant underdogs. Their attacking output in qualifying was among the lowest of the 24 teams, with just four goals scored. Recent form has been mixed: defeats to Algeria, Mozambique, Uganda and a 2-1 loss to Tunisia in their final warm-up.
Head coach Morena Ramoreboli makes history as the first South African to lead another nation at an AFCON finals. The squad is largely drawn from the domestic league, with midfielder Renei Batlokwa – who plays for Maldon & Tiptree in England's Isthmian League North Division – among the few foreign-based players.
Captain Thatayaone Ditlhokwe will need to marshall the backline effectively if Botswana are to spring an upset.
Head-to-Head
This is the first meeting between these nations at an AFCON finals. Their only previous encounters came during 2015 AFCON qualifying, when Senegal won both matches – 2-0 away and 3-0 at home – scoring five goals without conceding.
Key Players
Senegal: Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich)
Botswana: Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (Captain), Tumisang Orebonye, Kabelo Seakanyeng
Predicted Line-ups
Senegal (4-3-3): Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhaté, Jakobs; Camara, P. Sarr, Gueye; I. Sarr, Jackson, Mané
Botswana (4-5-1): Phoko; Johnson, Ditlhokwe, Kopelang, Mangolo; Orebonye, Gaolaolwe, Mohutsiwa, Seakanyeng, Ngele; Sesiny
Match Details
- Kick-off: 15:00 GMT, Tuesday 23 December 2025
- Venue: Grand Stade de Tanger, Tangier
- Competition: AFCON 2025 Group D, Matchday 1
Prediction
Senegal's quality differential should tell. Expect a professional performance from the 2021 champions, though Botswana's defensive approach may keep the margin respectable. Senegal 2-0 Botswana