AFCON 2025 Group D: Benin Recover From DR Congo Loss With a Narrow Win Over Botswana

Benin silenced Botswana in the second group stage encounter at the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, December 27.

Benin and Botswana entered the clash without a single historical head-to-head meeting in recent memory, making their Group D clash a significant first for both nations.

The high-stakes encounter in Rabat served as a critical opportunity for both sides to secure their first points of the tournament and keep their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages alive.

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In their opening Group D matches, both nations struggled to find their footing as Benin fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Botswana was soundly beaten 3-0 by a dominant Senegal side.

Botswana started brightly, giving Benin a stern test and winning several dangerous free kicks that nearly punished the Cheetahs early on.

The most threatening opportunities came in the 17th and 22nd minutes, but Benin goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbé was equal to the task, producing crucial saves to keep his side level.

By the 24th minute, both teams had settled into the contest, with the balance of play evenly matched. Benin appeared frustrated as Botswana goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko continued his impressive form, retaining his starting place after a record-breaking 14-save performance against Senegal in the opening match.

Botswana came close to breaking the deadlock in the 25th minute when a promising effort drifted narrowly wide, before Benin struck moments later. In the 28th minute, Yohan Roche found the breakthrough to give the Cheetahs the lead.

Trailing after half an hour, the Zebras were forced to push forward in search of an equaliser and nearly found it in the 35th minute, when a well-placed free kick crashed against the crossbar, denying them a deserved goal before halftime.

Benin controlled the closing stages of the first half, forcing Botswana to react rather than dictate play. In first-half added time, Benin were awarded a corner, but the delivery failed to produce a breakthrough, and the rebound also came to nothing.

At the start of the second half, Botswana made a few tactical changes in a bid to overturn the deficit and chase all three points.

Benin were immediately put on the front foot, earning a free kick in the 46th minute, though the long-range effort failed to trouble the goalkeeper.

Despite that, Benin asserted their dominance from the outset of the half, settling comfortably into their rhythm as Botswana attempted to apply pressure.

Eager to improve on their poor AFCON record, the Zebras pushed forward with intent, but Benin remained alert and well organised.

In the 51st minute, Benin came close to doubling their lead, only to be denied by an attentive Botswana goalkeeper, while a subsequent counterattack from the Zebras failed to produce a meaningful outcome.

In the 55th minute, Botswana earned a free kick, but their attempt was swiftly dealt with by the Benin goalkeeper, who punched the ball clear.

Another opportunity followed in the 62nd minute, yet poor execution once again let the Zebras down. Despite creating several promising chances, Botswana continued to struggle with turning their pressure into a goal.

In the 64th minute, Benin came close to doubling the lead, but the striker could not get in the right position to find the back of the net. The 70th minute also saw the Cheetahs threaten Botswana’s defence, with the keeper making two crucial saves.

The Cheetahs began to show signs of fatigue as a revived Botswana sensed urgency, aware that time was running out with just 16 minutes remaining. In the 81st minute, Benin made a change, with Rodolfo Aloko coming on for Tosin Aiyegun.

Benin bounced back to maintain control of the match, while Botswana continued to push hard in search of an equaliser.