Senegal claimed a comfortable 3-0 victory over Botswana in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D fixture at the Tangier Grand Stadium in Tangier, Morocco, on Tuesday evening.
The routine victory saw the Lions of Teranga get off to the perfect start as they look to go all the way and clinch their second AFCON title.
Coach Pape Thiaw and his charges have since turned their attention to Saturday's clash, which is against DR Congo, who overcame Benin 1-0 on Tuesday.
The Zebras, on the other hand, marked their return to Africa's most prestigious football tournament with a defeat.
Coach Morena Ramoreboli will be hoping to mastermind Botswana's first-ever victory in the AFCON finals when 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 halftime when Iliman Ndiaye fired home a sublime cross from Ismail Jakobs and Senegal were enjoying a 1-0 lead at the interval.
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Jackson was hungry for goals after the restart and the Bayern Munich marksman grabbed his brace in the 58th minute after a brilliant individual effort, with Ismaila Sarr providing the assist.
Nicolas Jackson does the double for the Lions of Teranga 🇸🇳⚽⚽
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 23, 2025
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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.
Senegal's 3-0 victory was sealed after two substitutes combined fantastically in the 90th minute - Cherif Ndiaye turning home Cheick Sabaly's cross.
Harmony. Flow. Goal.
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 23, 2025
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Senegal (1) 3 (Jackson 40', 58', C. Ndiaye 90')
Botswana 0
Senegal: Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhaté, 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')