Senegal Make a Strong Statement Against Botswana in CAN 2025 Opener
Senegal could not have asked for a more controlled and confident start to their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 campaign. Coming into the tournament as one of the clear favorites, the Lions of Teranga fully lived up to that status with a comfortable 3–0 victory over Botswana in their opening Group D match. Played in Tanger under heavy rain and in front of sparse crowds at the Ibn-Batouta Stadium, the conditions were far from ideal, but Senegal never allowed that to affect their rhythm or authority.
From the very first minutes, the difference in quality was obvious. Senegal were set up to dominate possession, press high, and suffocate Botswana in their own half. The Botswana goalkeeper, Goitseone Phoko, was kept extremely busy, as wave after wave of Senegalese attacks were sent his way. Shots were fired, crosses were delivered, and movement in the final third was constant, especially through players like Iliman Ndiaye, Sadio Mané, and Ismaïla Sarr. It almost felt like a matter of time before the deadlock would be broken.
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That breakthrough finally arrived just before halftime. After a sharp move down the left side, Ismail Jakobs delivered a well-timed cutback into the box. Nicolas Jackson was waiting calmly, and the finish was kept simple, rolled into the net with composure. It was a deserved goal, and it reflected the one-sided nature of the first half.
Nothing really changed after the break. Botswana tried to rely on long balls and physical effort, but the technical gap remained clear. Senegal continued to camp around the opposition penalty area, patiently probing for openings. Once again, Nicolas Jackson stepped up. Set up perfectly by Ismaïla Sarr, he produced a slick piece of skill inside the box before finishing for his second goal of the afternoon. At that moment, the match was effectively put to bed.
Despite the scoreline, Senegal could have scored even more. Chances were created almost at will, with Mané, Sarr, and even young substitute Ibrahim Mbaye getting opportunities. Phoko, to his credit, pulled off an impressive number of saves, but he was eventually beaten again late in the game when Cherif Ndiaye added a third goal to seal the result.
In the end, this was a calm, professional performance from a team that knows it is expected to go far. Senegal started without any drama, sent a clear message to the rest of the competition, and now look ahead with confidence to a much tougher test against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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