The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group D fixture between Senegal and Botswana takes place on Tuesday at the Grand Stade de Tanger in Morocco, as both nations begin their campaigns at AFCON 2025 with contrasting expectations.
The Teranga Lions arrive as one of the tournament favourites, while the Zebras will look to defy the odds and make a statement as they seek their first-ever victory at an AFCON finals.
Senegal enter the 2025 AFCON as one of Africa’s most experienced sides, making their 18th finals appearance and sixth in succession after lifting the trophy in 2021.
The Teranga Lions dominated qualification for Morocco 2025 by going unbeaten across six matches, conceding just one goal and finishing with the joint-best defensive record alongside Mali.
Senegal’s attacking output in qualifying was led by Sadio Mane and Habib Diarra, who both scored three goals to underline the team’s balance.
Their tournament build-up featured eye-catching friendly performances, including a historic 3-1 victory over England in June 2025 through goals from Ismaila Sarr, Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly, followed by a 2-0 defeat to Brazil on 15 November 2025 and an emphatic 8-0 win over Kenya three days later.
In World Cup qualifying, Senegal recorded dominant wins over Mauritania and South Sudan in October 2025 before edging DR Congo 3-2 in September 2025.
Across these six matches, Senegal scored 22 goals and conceded only four, reinforcing their status as one of Africa’s elite national teams.
Historically, Senegal boast a strong AFCON opening-game record, remaining unbeaten in 15 of their 17 tournament openers and winning their last five.
The squad is built around established internationals such as Mane, Sarr and Kalidou Koulibaly, with Pape Thiaw leading the team into his first AFCON as head coach.
This fixture will mark Senegal’s first meeting with Botswana at an AFCON finals, having previously defeated them twice during the 2015 AFCON qualifying campaign, winning 2-0 away in September 2014 before completing a 3-0 home victory in November 2014.
Senegal possible starting lineup:
Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf; Gueye, Camara, P. Sarr; Ndiaye, Mane, I. Sarr
Botswana possible starting lineup:
Kaosipula; Velaphi, Leinanyane, Gaolaolwe, Johnson; Seakanyeng, Mohutiswa, Ditsele; Boy, Sesinyi, Orebonye
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