Senegal vs Botswana Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | AFCON 2025

2021 African champions eye big win at Tangier

The Tangier Grand Stadium in Tangier, Morocco, gears up to host the Matchweek 1 fixture of AFCON 2025 featuring 2021 African champions Senegal and Botswana.

Senegal recently qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 after emerging as the table toppers of Group B alongside Congo, Sudan, Togo, Mauritania and South Sudan. They are led by Senegalese gaffer Pape Thiaw, who featured for Moscow, Metz and Strasbourg during his playing days.

Botswana are back in the African top flight after a long wait of 13 years. They last qualified for AFCON 2012 and finished at the bottom of the group below Ghana, Mali and Guinea. They will be keen to make the most of their time in Morocco and make a strong impact in the upcoming edition.

Une ambiance incroyable pic.twitter.com/sfeSGxfaNF

— Football Senegal (@FootballSenegal) December 19, 2025

Kick-off:

• Location: Tangier, Morocco
• Stadium: Grand Stadium Tangier
• Date: Tuesday, December 23
• Kick-off Time: 8:30 p.m. IST
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

Players to Watch

Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal)

The Senegalese midfielder played a crucial role in helping Tottenham Hotspur win the UEFA Europa League against Manchester United in the finals. He was conferred the CAF Youth Player of the Year Award in 2022 and was part of the Senegal squad that won the AFCON 2021.

Tumisang Orebonye (Botswana)

The Botswana centre forward has plied his trade with Township Rollers, USM Alger and Al Ittihad Tripoli before heading to Casablanca to play for Moroccan top division team Wydad AC. He was part of the USM Alger squad that won the CAF Super Cup and CAF Confederation Cup in 2023.

Match Facts

• Botswana have never won a game against Senegal
• Moussa Sow from Senegal is the leading goalscorer in this fixture.
• These two sides last met in a game back in 2014

Senegal vs Botswana: Betting Tips and Odds

• Senegal to win the match – 2/11 with bet365
• Nicolas Jackson to score the first goal – 11/10 with bet365
• Senegal 2-0 Botswana – 9/2 with bet365

Injury and Team News

Senegal will miss the presence of Habib Diarra and Assane Diao

Botswana have no injury concerns for the next game.

Head-to-Head

Total matches: 02

Senegal won: 02

Botswana won: 00

Draws: 00

Predicted Lineups

Senegal predicted lineup (4-3-3)

Mendy (GK); Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf; Gueye, Camara, P Sarr; Sarr, Jackson, Mane

Botswana predicted lineup (4-3-3)

Kaosipula (GK); Velaphi, Leinanyane, Gaolaowe, Johnson, Seakanyeng, Mohutiswa, Ditsele; Boy, Sesinyi, Orebonye

Match Prediction

Senegal have a relatively strong team and we expect them to kickstart the tournament with a comfortable win over Botswana.

Prediction: Senegal 2-0 Botswana

Telecast Details

India: FanCode

Nigeria: NTA Sports 24, SuperSport

UK: Channel 4

USA: beIN Sports

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