Senegal and DR Congo make winning starts
Nicolas Jackson scored twice as Senegal got their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign off to a winning start with a comfortable 3-0 Group D victory over Botswana in Tangier.
Jackson converted Ismail Jakobs’ low cross to give his side the lead after 40 minutes as they broke the resistance of a stubborn Botswana. The Bayern Munich striker then showed quick feet from Ismaïla Sarr’s pass to finish from close range just before the hour mark.
Senegal, who won the Cup of Nations title in 2021 and are among the favourites again, overwhelmed their opponents with waves of attacks and added a third late on from Cherif Ndiaye, one of 28 efforts on the Botswana goal.
Earlier, the Democratic Republic of Congo dominating their opening game against Benin but had to hold on for a 1-0 victory in Group D after missing a number of chances.
Théo Bongonda got the goal in the 16th minute, letting a long pass bounce before volleying past Saturnin Allagbé. DR Congo did have the ball in the net two minutes into the second half as Cédric Bakambu headed home Nathanaël Mbuku’s cross, but after a lengthy VAR check it was ruled offside.
Bakambu also had a breakaway opportunity but saw his effort deflected away for a corner. Benin spent most of the match defending, but after a late break Aiyegun Tosin was denied a dramatic equaliser by the DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. Reuters
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Full time: Senegal 3-0 Botswana
A comfortable start for much-fancied Senegal. Nicolas Jackson scored a goal in each half before Cherif Ndiaye lovingly iced the cake.
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GOAL! Senegal 3-0 Botswana (C Ndiaye 90)
Even Senegal’s substitutes are a level above. Cherif Ndiaye finishes smartly from Cheikh Sabaly’s low cross to make it 3-0 to Senegal.
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87 min This has been a really comfortable afternoon for Senegal, who all things being equal will top Group D.
84 min See 81 min.
81 min Nothing much to report; Senegal are cruising to victory.
77 min And now Mane’s shot on the turn is beaten away by Phoko.
75 min Jackson misses an excellent chance for his hat-trick, wafting over from 10 yards.
74 min It feels like the match is petering out. As expected, Senegal have been a level above.
71 min Apologies, we’re having technical problems but you aren’t missing much.
65 min Koulibaly clips a nice pass over the top, Mane controls it on the run and has a shot turned behind by the outstretched leg of Phoko. Another good save.
61 min: Botswana substitutions Thabang Sesinyi and Thabo Maponda replace Kebatho and Orebonye.
GOAL! Senegal 2-0 Botswana (Jackson 58)
Beautiful finish. Nicolas Jackson receives Ibrahima Sarr’s pass into the area, dummies two defenders and finishes serenely past Phoko.
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56 min Corner on the left for Senegal. Mane takes it short, crosses and it’s headed away.
52 min Kebatho is booked for a foul in midfield.
48 min Koulibaly heads onto the roof of his own net for a corner to Botswana. Johnson curls it in and Mendy claims.
46 min Peep peep!
Half-time reading
Half time: Senegal 1-0 Botswana
As expected, a comfortable first half for Senegal, who lead through Nicolas Jackson’s crisp finish.
44 min A lovely move from Senegal ends with Mane playing in Ndiaye, whose close-range shot is smothered by Phoko. Good save. Botswana break and Diatta is booked for a tactical foul.
GOAL! Senegal 1-0 Botswana (Jackson 40)
It’s been coming. After a smooth move on the left, Jakobs’ cutback is turned in emphatically by Jackson with his left foot.
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35 min The first yellow card goes to Mohutsiwa for a foul on Pape Gueye in the centre circle. Bit harsh.
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30 min The same pattern, Senegal dominating without making the breakthrough.
26 min Another good save from Phoko, who kicks away Mane’s low shot from 12 yards.
22 min Ndiaye’s cross from the right is volleyed acrobatically over the bar by Jackson. Senegal continue to miss half-chances.
20 min Phoko makes another decent save, kicking away Ndiaye’s low left-foot shot.
18 min There’s a break in play while Phoko receives treatment. It’s pouring down now by the way.
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16 min It feels like a matter of time before Senegal take the lead.
15 min A fine save from Phoko, who plunges to his right to push Ndiaye’s daisy-cutter round the post.
10 min It’s all Senegal, as you’d expect. Botswana are being made to work very hard defensively.
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6 min Jackson lifts a cross that is met by Mane, whose downward header is pawed over the bar by Phoko.
3 min Senegal’s first chance comes from a Botswana corner. A blistering break ends with Phoko denying Jackson in a one-on-one before Pape Gueye shoots over.
1 min Peep peep! Senegal kick off from left to right as we watch.
Full time: DR Congo 1-0 Benin Theo Bongonda’s goal has given DR Congo victory in the opening game of Group D. They play Senegal next on Saturday; Benin will meet Botswana.
90 min: DR Congo 1-0 Benin Late drama in the opening game of the day, with Aiyegun Tosin’s shot superbly saved by the DR Congo keeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau.
Team news
Senegal (poss 4-2-3-1) E Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Jakobs; P Gueye, I Gueye; I Ndiaye, Mane, I Sarr; Jackson.
Subs: Y Diouf, Ciss, Seck, P Sarr, Diaw, C Ndiaye, Mbaye, Camara, M Sarr, A Mendy, Sabaly, Dia, Diarra, Diallo.
Botswana (poss 4-2-3-1) Phoko; Velaphi, Gaolaolwe, Ditlhokwe, Johnson; Ditsele, Motutsiwa; Seakanyeng, Cooper, Orebonye; Kebatho.
Subs: Boy, Kgosipula, Ratshukudu, Enosa, Baruti, Leinanyane, Dambe, Kopelang, Sesinyi, Nganda, Molefe, Modingwane, Kgamanyane, Ramotse, Maponda.
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NO GOAL! DR Congo 1-0 Benin
Scratch that. Mbuku was offside in the build up – by quite a way, in fact – so the goal has been disallowed.
GOAL! DR Congo 2-0 Benin (Bakambu 47)
An early goal in the second half of today’s first game. Cedric Bakambu has doubled DR Congo’s lead with a precise header from Nathanael Mbuku’s superb cross.
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This will be the second game in Group D. The first is taking place as I type: DR Congo lead Benin 1-0 at half-time thanks to a goal from Theo Bongonda.
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Senegal were hugely impressive when they beat England 3-1 at the City Ground in June. Their midfield Lamine Camara says that is one of the reasons they should be regarded as favourites to win this competition.
It was a decision that took many by surprise, although not those who have been watching closely since February 2020. Members of the Confederation of African Football’s (Caf) executive committee, along with various other dignitaries including George Weah, the former Ballon d’Or winner and president of Liberia at the time, were assembled in Rabat at a seminar to hear Gianni Infantino outline his plan for the development of competitions and infrastructure in African football.
As well as improving standards in refereeing and mobilising investment in the continent’s infrastructure, the president of Fifa floated the prospect of holding its most important tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations, every four years instead of every two and described the current arrangement as “useless”. The argument ran that it would be more beneficial for countries “at the commercial level” and would help to “project African football to the top of the world”. “Let us show the world what we can do,” added Infantino. “This day is special – it’s the start of a new chapter for African football.”
Preamble
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Senegal v Botswana in Group D at the Africa Cup of Nations. The 2021 champions Senegal are among the favourites to win this year’s competition, behind only the hosts Morocco in many people’s eyes. Botswana ambitions are more modest: they are chasing their first positive Afcon result after losing all three matches on their only previous appearance in 2012.
Botswana beat Cape Verde – who have qualified for the World Cup – home and away during qualification, so Senegal will take nothing for granted. Even so, any result other than a Senegal victory would be a shock.
We’re contractually obliged to frame each team in the context of English football, by naming some players with whom lovers of the Premier League are familiar, so here goes. Senegal’s squad includes, among others, Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mane, Pape Sarr, Ismaila Sarr, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Iliman Ndiaye, Idrissa Gueye and Edouard Mendy.
Botswana’s squad are mostly but home based, but look out (well, read out) for the lively forward Tumisang Orebonye. If Botswana are to pull off a shock, he will probably be the architect.
Kick off 3pm.
