Lions of Teranga look to roar past Zebras

Senegal will face off with Botswana in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D fixture at the Tangier Grand Stadium in Tangier, Morocco on Tuesday.

Kick-off is at 5pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Lions of Teranga returned to winning ways in style when they hammered Kenya 8-0 in an international friendly match on 15 November, after Brazil had ended the West African giants' five-game winning streak under head coach Pape Thiaw.

Senegal is one of the favourites to win the AFCON title for what would be the second time, due to their exceptional squad depth, immense talent, impeccable experience, and consistent high-level performances.

Botswana, on the other hand, extended their winless run to eight matches across all competitions in regulation time when they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Tunisia in an international friendly game on 18 December.

The Zebras are making their return to the biggest football tournament in Africa, having featured in the 2012 tournament as debutants and they are hoping to reach the knockout phase for the first time.

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TEAM NEWS

The Senegalese Football Association (FSF) has announced that Ousseynou Niang is set to join the Lions of Teranga camp, replacing Assane Diao, who has withdrawn from the AFCON tournament due to an injury.

Botswana team physio Mpho Bogopa, on the other hand, has reported a clean bill of health following the Zebras' match against Tunisia as the Southern African side prepare for their clash against Senegal.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Senegal defender Moussa Niakhaté

“No, I think this is the first AFCON where there won’t be any surprises," Niakhaté told the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) media.

"The conditions will be so close to what we experience on a daily basis (in Europe), that it will really favour the big nations. Everyone had always hoped for a luxury final four and I think that will be the case for this edition.”

Botswana head coach Morena Ramoreboli

“We have achieved our objective. The first thing was to make sure we come here to build a team that will represent us well at the Africa Cup of Nations,” Ramoreboli told the Botswana Football Association media.

“We have done that in terms of preparations and I believe that we are waiting for the first match to try and do our best.”

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Senegal and Botswana have met twice across all competitions since their maiden meeting in September 2014.

The Lions of Teranga won both matches with their most recent game ending in a 3-0 win in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor in Dakar, Senegal, in November 2024.