Senegal vs Botswana prediction, H2H and probable lineups — December 23, 2025
In the opening round of the Africa Cup of Nations group stage, Senegal will take on Botswana. The match will be held in Tangier on Tuesday, December 23. Kick-off is scheduled for 16:00 Central European Time. I’m offering a bet on the winner of this game.
Match preview
Senegal enters the Africa Cup of Nations as one of the tournament’s main favorites, alongside Egypt. The team consistently proves its high level both in official fixtures and friendlies, showcasing a perfect balance between a solid defense and a powerful attacking force.
The Senegalese are comfortable in matches of any tempo. In the autumn, they secured their ticket to the 2026 World Cup and now have their sights set high for the continental competition.
Senegal often looks to seize the initiative from the very first minutes, putting pressure on the flanks and actively involving their full-backs in attack. This approach allows them to create plenty of chances early in the game.
The opening match of the tournament against Botswana looks like a walk in the park for Senegal. There’s little doubt that the team can live up to its favorite status on the pitch, so expect aggressive football from them right from the start.
Botswana comes into this as the underdog, but the team doesn’t look hopeless. In the World Cup qualifiers, the Zebras showed spirit and tried to play boldly, even against higher-ranked opponents, but the outcome was as expected.
The team relies on intensity and vertical football, while also trying to stay compact at the back. This strategy helps them create dangerous moments thanks to pace on the flanks and sudden runs from deep, but it also leaves them vulnerable to positional attacks from the opposition.
This is only the second time in their history that Botswana has reached the final stage of the Africa Cup of Nations. Their first appearance was in 2012, but they lost all three group stage matches to Ghana, Mali, and Guinea.
Reaching the playoffs would be a massive achievement for Botswana, especially with group rivals like the more illustrious Senegal and DR Congo, as well as the solid Benin side. Interestingly, bookmakers consider Botswana to be the weakest team in the tournament.
Match facts
- Senegal has lost only one of its last 12 matches — against Brazil in November.
- Botswana managed just one win in 2025, defeating Somalia in World Cup qualifying.
- Senegal averages 2.7 goals per game, while Botswana scores an average of 0.7 goals per match.
Probable lineups
- Senegal: Diaw, Diouf, Niakhaté, Koulibaly, Diatta, Pape Gueye, Idrissa Gueye, Sarr, Ndiaye, Mané, Jackson.
- Botswana: Kgosiemang, Velaphi, Gaolaolwe, Leinanyane, Johnson, Mohutsiwa, Ditsele, Seakanyeng, Boy, Orebone, Sesinyi.
H2H
- Senegal has won both previous head-to-head meetings against Botswana.
- Botswana has never scored against Senegal.
Prediction
The Senegal vs Botswana matchup is a classic David vs Goliath clash on the football pitch. The "Lions of Teranga" are expected to easily claim all three points against such modest opposition. My pick: a win for the designated hosts with a -1.5 goal handicap.
