The Teranga Lions of Senegal began their quest for a second Africa Cup of Nations title in emphatic fashion, delivering a commanding 3-0 victory over tournament underdogs Botswana in their Group D opener at the Grand Stade de Tanger.
In a match defined by overwhelming dominance and a stark gulf in class, a clinical brace from striker Nicolas Jackson and a late goal from Cherif Ndiaye sealed a straightforward three points for the 2021 champions. The result immediately installed Senegal as the team to beat in the group, while for Botswana, the harsh realities of competing at this elite level were laid bare in a contest that offered little beyond resilient, if ultimately futile, defense.
From the opening whistle, the narrative was clear. Senegal, boasting a starting eleven featuring stars from Europe’s top leagues, immediately took command of possession and territory, pinning Botswana deep inside their own half.
The Zebras, ranked 138th in the world and participating in only their second-ever AFCON finals, set up in an ultra-defensive 5-4-1 formation, a clear acknowledgment of the daunting task before them. Their ambition seemed limited to survival, to weathering the inevitable storm for as long as possible.
The atmosphere in Tangier was curiously muted, with torrential rain and unseasonably cold weather contributing to a sparse official attendance. The vibrant energy came almost exclusively from the Senegalese supporters, whose drums and songs provided a constant, rhythmic backdrop to the one-sided spectacle unfolding on the pitch.
The first half became a story of Senegalese artistry and profligacy against Botswana’s desperate, last-ditch defending. Time and again, the Lions carved open the Zebras’ rearguard, only to be denied by a combination of poor finishing and the exceptional goalkeeping of Goitseone Phoko.
Within the first ten minutes, the Botswana shot-stopper had already made two crucial saves, first blocking Nicolas Jackson in a one-on-one situation and then acrobatically tipping a powerful Sadio Mané header over the crossbar. Phoko continued his resistance throughout the half, denying Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaïla Sarr, and Mané again with a series of sharp reactions.
Senegal’s attacking play was fluid and relentless, but as the minutes ticked by without a goal, a faint question of frustration began to linger in the damp Tangier air.
That frustration was finally extinguished five minutes before the interval. A swift attacking move down the left flank saw full-back Ismail Jakobs deliver a perfect, low cross into the heart of the penalty area.
There, having intelligently peeled away from his marker, was Nicolas Jackson. The Chelsea forward, seeking to ignite his tournament after a challenging club season, met the ball with a crisp left-footed finish, sweeping it beyond the reach of the heroic Phoko.
The goal was a just reward for Senegal’s dominance and a personal relief for Jackson, whose visible determination finally bore fruit. The halftime whistle blew with the scoreline reading 1-0, a result that, while reflective of the balance of play, still seemed generous to a Botswana side that had mustered not a single shot of note.
Any hope that the goal might settle Senegal into a more conservative rhythm was quickly dismissed after the restart. If anything, the Lions emerged with even greater attacking intent.
Botswana, perhaps sensing the need to offer something in attack, briefly committed more men forward, but this minor shift in ambition only served to create more space for Senegal’s devastating transitions. The contest was effectively decided in the 58th minute when Jackson claimed his second goal of the afternoon.
Receiving a clever pass from Ismaïla Sarr inside the box, the striker displayed admirable composure, dummying past one defender before calmly slotting the ball into the net with his right foot. The brace announced Jackson as a central figure in Senegal’s title charge and showcased the clinical edge that had been missing in the first half.
Even with a two-goal cushion, Senegal showed no mercy. Phoko remained the busiest player on the field, making another spectacular save to deny Mané after the veteran was put through by a sublime chipped pass from captain Kalidou Koulibaly.
Jackson, chasing a hat-trick, then missed a glorious chance, skying his shot over from close range. His afternoon ended soon after as he was substituted to a warm ovation, replaced by Cherif Ndiaye.
The scoring, however, was not complete. In the final minute of normal time, Ndiaye applied the finishing touch to a comprehensive performance, arriving at the near post to steer home a low cross from substitute Cheikh Sabaly and seal a definitive 3-0 victory.
In the aftermath, the contrasting emotions in the two camps were palpable. Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, who succeeded the legendary Aliou Cissé, praised his team’s control but emphasized the need for greater ruthlessness.
He noted the team created a plethora of chances and should have scored more, a sentiment that underscored the high standards within the squad. The clean sheet, part of a remarkable defensive record that has seen Senegal concede just seven goals in their last 22 AFCON matches, will have been equally satisfying.
For Botswana and their historic South African coach, Morena Ramoreboli, the post-match analysis was a somber affair. He praised his team’s heart and the performance of his goalkeeper but acknowledged the immense challenge, stating his players gave their all against a superior footballing force.
The statistics told a brutal story: 28 shots to 1, 70% possession, and 17 shots on target for Senegal, a data set that perfectly captured the chasm between the two sides on the day.
The victory sends a clear message to the rest of the contenders in Morocco. Senegal, with their blend of experience and youth, physical power and technical grace, have begun their campaign with the authoritative air of favorites.
Their next match, against a confident DR Congo side that also won its opener, will provide a much sterner examination of their credentials. For Botswana, the journey continues with a pivotal clash against Benin.