Title Favourites Senegal Thrash Botswana To Send Strong Warning

A star-studded Senegal side thrashed Botswana 3-0 in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON Group D fixture at theTangier Grand Stadium in Tangier, Morocco, on Tuesday evening. As a result, Lions of Teranga got off to a winning start and they will face DR Congo, who defeated Benin 1-0 on Tuesday, on Saturday. The Zebras, on the other hand, marked their return to Africas most prestigious football tournament with a defeat and they take on a wounded Benin side on Saturday. It became the Lions of Teranga versus Goitseone Phoko, who was between the sticks for the Zebras, from the first whistle. The Jwaneng Galaxy goalkeeper produced four brilliant saves to deny Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mane and Iliman Ndiaye twice in the opening 20 minutes of the match. Two-time CAF African Footballer of the Year Mane was denied for the second time in the 26th minute, with Phoko making a superb save. However, Phoko was finally beaten five minutes before half-time when Iliman Ndiaye fired home a sublime cross fromIsmail Jakobs and Senegal were enjoying a 1-0 lead at the interval. Jackson was hungry for goals afterthe restart and the Bayern Munich marksman grabbed his brace in the 58th minute after a brilliant individual effort,with Ismaila Sarr providing the assist. The goal dampened the Botswana players spirits, ending their hopes of fighting back. However, Phoko continued to make some eye-catching saves as the former Gaborone United star blocked efforts from Mane twice and Sarr in the last 25 minutes of the match. Senegals 3-0 victory was sealed after two substitutes combined fantastically in the 90th minute - Cherif Ndiaye turning home Cheick Sabalys cross. Senegal 1 3 Jackson 40, 58, C. Ndiaye 90 Botswana 0 0 Senegal: Mendy Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhat, Jakobs I. Gueye, P. Gueye Camara 69 I. Ndiaye Mbaye 69, Jackson C. Ndiaye 78, I. Sarr Sabaly 88 Mane Ciss 78 Botswana: Phoko Ditlhokwe, Velaphi, Gaolaolwe, Johnson Mohutsiwa Modingwane 80, Ditsele, Kebatho Sesinyi 61 Cooper Baruti 81, Orebonye Maponda 61, Seakanyeng Kgamanyane 80