Match Details

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• Preview: Gernot Rohr’s Cheetahs target first AFCON win against struggling Zebras

  Benin and Botswana face a “must-win” scenario in Rabat as they both seek their first points of AFCON 2025 to avoid a likely group-stage elimination. Benin and Botswana meet at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah on Saturday in a high-stakes encounter, with both sides desperate to recover from opening-day defeats. Benin suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to DR Congo, while Botswana was overwhelmed 3-0 by title favorites Senegal. Sitting at the bottom of Group D, both nations recognize that a second consecutive loss would likely result in an early exit from the tournament. Gernot Rohr’s Benin side enters the match as favorites, sitting 46 places above Botswana in the FIFA rankings. Despite a three-match losing streak where they failed to score, the “Cheetahs” are bolstered by the return of key players Steve Mounie, Junior Olaitan, and Andreas Hountondji from suspension. This match is viewed as Benin’s most realistic chance to secure points before a daunting final group fixture against the formidable Senegal. Botswana’s “Zebras” are currently on a dismal run, having gone eight matches without a victory and seven without a clean sheet. Their opening performance was highlighted only by goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko, who made a record-breaking 14 saves against Senegal. With a squad lacking proven goal-scorers, experts predict a tightly contested, low-scoring affair, with the West Africans expected to edge out a narrow 1-0 victory to revive their campaign.

• Preview: Senegal and DR Congo battle for knockout spot in high-stakes AFCON clash

  Senegal and DR Congo meet in a decisive Group D fixture where a victory would guarantee early qualification for the AFCON 2025 knockout rounds.

  Former champions Senegal and two-time winners DR Congo face off at the Tangier Grand Stadium this Saturday evening in a pivotal Group D encounter.

  Both nations entered the second round of fixtures following decisive opening-day victories, meaning the winner of this match will officially secure progression to the AFCON 2025 knockout stages.

  Senegal currently holds the top spot on goal difference after a commanding 3-0 win over Botswana in their tournament debut.

  Senegal’s attack made history in their opener, recording 17 shots on target—the highest in an AFCON match since 2010.

  Nicolas Jackson, who scored twice, and Sadio Mane, who registered six shots on target, remain the primary threats for the Lions of Teranga.

  Head coach Pape Thiaw has a near-full squad available, bolstered by the return of left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf from suspension, though winger Assane Diao remains sidelined with a thigh injury.

  DR Congo enters the contest as a formidable defensive unit, having secured five clean sheets in their last six competitive matches.

  The Leopards opened their campaign with a disciplined 1-0 victory over Benin thanks to a Theo Bongonda strike.

  Head coach Sebastien Desabre relies on a physically robust backline led by Chancel Mbemba and West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka, aiming to avenge their recent 3-2 World Cup qualifying loss to Senegal in Kinshasa.

  The match is expected to be a tactical battle between two of the continent’s elite defenses.

  While DR Congo has proven they can protect narrow leads, Senegal’s high-tempo offense, anchored by Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gueye, provides a significant challenge.

  Experts anticipate a “very tactical and tight game,” with the Lions of Teranga favored to secure a narrow 1-0 victory due to their superior individual attacking quality and recent competitive momentum.

• Onana, Aboubakar out as Cameroon fires Brys

  Andre Onana, Vincent Aboubakar, and other key players are out of Cameroon’s Afcon squad after coach Marc Brys was sacked amidst chaos and allegations of ‘subterfuge’ by Fecafoot President Samuel Eto’o.

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• Cruyff, Henry and Tomaszewski’s World Cup drama

  Relive shocking World Cup qualifying moments, from Thierry Henry’s handball and Italy’s playoff disasters to the heroics of Jan Tomaszewski and Martín Palermo that defined football history.

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• Nigeria, Cape Verde and Malawi book Wafcon spots

  Reigning champions Nigeria qualified for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations alongside historic debutants Cape Verde and Malawi, who sealed their spots in the expanded tournament.