AFCON 2025: Nicolas Jackson Nets Brace as Sadio Mane Frustrated by Botswana Keeper in Opener

Nicolas Jackson starred as Senegal overcame a resilient Botswana side in their AFCON 2025 opener, with Sadio Mane repeatedly denied by the goalkeeper.

Senegal silenced Botswana 3-0 in their opening group stage AFCON 2025 match played at the Tangier Grand Stadium in Morocco on Tuesday, December 23.

The match marked a significant milestone for the ‘Zebras,’ who are making only their second-ever appearance at the tournament after a 13-year absence from the continental stage.

While Senegal won both of the previous competitive encounters between these two nations in 2015, Botswana entered the match with newfound confidence following a gritty qualifying campaign.

Senegal vs Botswana: AFCON 2025 First Half Report

Both sides began their campaign cautiously, with Botswana being awarded a corner just two minutes in, though it was not converted successfully.

Senegal bounced back with a counterattack, and for a moment, it seemed Nicolas Jackson might score, but goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko made a great save.

Senegal retained possession and tried again, but the ball sailed over the box, all occurring just before the fifth minute. Sadio Mane also attempted a header in the fifth minute, but the keeper made another excellent save.

The match calmed down briefly before Mane made another scoring attempt in the seventh minute. At this point, Botswana focused on defending, and their strategy was proving effective.

A set-piece opportunity for Senegal came in the ninth minute, but Botswana's goalkeeper made yet another crucial save. In the 11th minute, Botswana had an effort, but the ball went wide.

In the 14th minute, Phoko produced another key save, resulting in a corner that was not converted. In the 17th minute, a free kick was awarded to Botswana, but it also failed to yield a goal.

Shortly after, a heavy downpour began, though the momentum from both sides remained unaffected. Nicolas Jackson made another attempt to score in the 22nd minute, but the ball went above the post.

Senegal continued their dominant play in search of a goal but were repeatedly denied by Botswana’s goalkeeper, who produced a string of impressive saves, including crucial stops in the 24th minute.

The goalkeeper made another save in the 32nd minute, a wide strike from Sadio Mane, who was now looking frustrated.

Nicolas Jackson then delivered a superb finish in the 39th minute to earn the Lions of Teranga their first goal. In the 43rd minute, Senegal attempted to add another goal, but things did not go as planned as the keeper made another save.

Just before halftime, Botswana earned a corner, but it went unconverted as the earlier downpour finally subsided.

Senegal vs Botswana: AFCON 2025 Second Half Report

The second half saw Senegal maintain their possession and attacking power, with Botswana racing against time to equalise or even secure the victory.

Botswana were then awarded a free kick just seconds in, which resulted in a corner that went straight into the hands of the goalkeeper. Senegal maintained their impressive style of play, but Botswana’s compact defence made it difficult for the Lions of Teranga to break through in the opening minutes of the second half.

Nicolas Jackson then doubled the lead in the 57th minute with a well-timed finish. The Zebras almost got their first goal in the 59th minute following an impressive strike that went wide.

In search of a hat-trick, Nicolas Jackson made a scoring attempt in the 62nd minute, but the ball went straight into the keeper’s hands. Shortly after, Sadio Mane made a flawless strike, but the keeper managed to save it, resulting in a corner which was also saved.

Shortly after, Senegal earned a free kick that Sadio Mane struck, but the goalkeeper made a solid save, and the subsequent rebound attempt was also denied. In the 71st minute, Nicolas Jackson also had a clear chance to score, but it was blocked.

In the 74th minute, Sadio Mane set up Nicolas Jackson for a hat-trick, but the Bayern Munich forward missed as the ball went wide. In the 76th minute, Sadio Mane created a scoring chance, but the keeper frustrated him with a brilliant save.

The 77th minute saw Nicolas Jackson and Sadio Mane get substituted, with the coach bringing in fresh legs to manage the game. Botswana then made three substitutions, with the coach in the hunt for a win in the dying minutes of the match.

In the 89th minute, Senegal added another goal courtesy of Iliman Ndiaye, who had made several attempts to find the back of the net. Botswana tried hard to make an impact in the final four minutes but their efforts proved futile.