AFCON 2025: Nicolas Jackson's brace powers Senegal to comfortable win over Botswana

Former Africa Cup of Nations champions, Senegal, set their 2025 AFCON campaign underway with authority, cruising to a 3-0 win over Botswana in a thrilling encounter played on Tuesday, 23 December at Ibn Batouta Stadium.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news

A brace from Nicolas Jackson, who struck in either half, and a late finish by Cheikhou Omar Ndiaye sealed an emphatic victory for Pape Bouna Thiaw’s charges, giving them a perfect start in their quest for a second continental crown.

The triumph propelled Senegal to the top of Group D on three points and a three-goal difference, level on points with DR Congo, who had earlier edged Benin 1-0 in the opening group fixture.

TACTICAL ANALYSIS: How South Africa overcome a stubborn Angola to end 21-year hoodoo

Heading into the match, both sides were eager to kick off their AFCON 2025 campaigns positively.

This meeting marked the third competitive clash between Senegal and Botswana, with the last encounter dating back to 2014 during the 2015 AFCON qualifiers.

Back then, Senegal had triumphed comfortably over two legs, winning 2-0 in Gaborone and 3-0 in Dakar.

The previous results gave The Lions of Teranga a psychological edge, while Botswana were eager to overturn history and claim a historic first win against the West Africans.

From the first whistle, the match unfolded at a high tempo, with both teams seeking an early breakthrough.

Senegal were first to threaten in the opening three minutes.

Nicolas Jackson, the on-loan Bayern Munich forward, was played through by a precise pass from Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye, only for Goitseone Phoko, Botswana’s goalkeeper, to make a spectacular save.

The rebound fell to Papa Gueye, whose low drive from the edge of the box was again comfortably blocked, signalling early Senegalese intent.

The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champions continued to dominate possession, creating chance after chance.

Harambee Stars midfielder Timothy Ouma's Christmas gift to Kawangware residents

Sadio Mane, the Al-Nasr forward, was heavily involved, receiving a perfectly weighted cross from Idrissa Gueye and firing a powerful header that Phoko parried expertly.

Mane’s movement and sharpness kept the Botswana defense constantly on edge.

In the 15th minute, Senegal nearly opened the scoring through Ilimane Ndiaye.

The Everton attacker, capitalising on a clever cut-back from Mane, unleashed a low curling drive that forced another full-stretch save from Phoko.

Moments later, Jackson came close again, attempting an overhead kick from a Mane and Ndiaye link-up, but the effort skimmed just over the bar under rainy conditions at Ibn Batouta Stadium.

Botswana, though largely pinned in their own half, created their first meaningful opportunity around the 25th minute through Tumisang Orebonye.

The Wydad Casablanca attacker’s curling volley from a Kabelo Seakanyeng pass narrowly missed the target, giving Senegal a warning of the visitors’ counter-attacking potential.

Senegal’s dominance continued, with Mane testing Phoko twice more in quick succession, including a fierce strike from the edge of the box that the goalkeeper parried away, maintaining a tense 0-0 scoreline.

Botswana nearly stole an early lead ten minutes from the break, when a swift counter involving Mothusi Cooper and Orebonye was expertly blocked by Kepri Diatta, preventing a potentially dangerous goal.

Popular YouTuber iShowSpeed to race Omanyala during African tour

Senegal’s persistence finally paid off six minutes before halftime.

A fluid passing move involving Mane and Jakobs ended with Jackson finding space in the box and slotting the ball past Phoko with a composed finish, giving Senegal a deserved 1-0 lead.

Jackson came close to doubling the lead before halftime, but Phoko’s timely intervention preserved a slender advantage as the teams headed into the break.

The second half saw Botswana attempt to respond more aggressively.

Ten minutes in, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, the Zebra’s captain, rose highest to meet a precise delivery from Seakanyeng but was denied by the vigilant Kalidou Koulibaly, who cleared the ball off the line.

Despite Botswana lifting their tempo, Senegal’s composure and experience ensured they remained in control.

In the 58th minute, Senegal doubled their advantage.

Another expertly worked move, featuring Papa Gueye and Ismaila Sarr, culminated in Jackson calmly controlling the ball inside Botswana’s six-yard area before evading two markers to slot home his second goal of the match.

The forward’s brace put Senegal firmly in command and sent a strong message to their group rivals.

AFCON 2025: Bongonda's strike sends DR Congo top of Group D after edging Benin

Jackson came agonizingly close to a hat-trick in the 66th minute but failed to squeeze the ball past Phoko in a prime position.

Senegal continued to threaten, with Mane and Jackson orchestrating multiple attacks, and Ibrahim Mbaye, a second-half substitute, curling a low strike narrowly over the crossbar in the dying minutes.

Finally, at death, substitute Cheikhou Omar Ndiaye sealed the emphatic win.

Chapter without sequel: Monaco decides not to keep Ansu Fati?

Picking up a low pass from Youssouf Sabaly, Ndiaye made no mistake, tapping the ball into an empty net to cap off a commanding 3-0 victory for Senegal.