AFCON 2025: Benin Republic Faces Stern Test from Tournament Rookie Botswana

Posted : 26 December 2025

Two nations still searching for their first win at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Benin and Botswana, meet in their second Group D fixtures at Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympique Annexe in Rabat on December 27. Kick-off is scheduled for 13:30 local time (12:30 GMT).

Benin opened their campaign with a defeat to DR Congo and are now winless in 15 AFCON finals matches. Botswana suffered a 3–0 loss to Senegal in their opening game and have lost all four of their AFCON matches to date. Botswana will be aiming to avoid becoming the second team, after Benin, to lose their first five AFCON matches, as Benin previously lost their first six.

This will be the first-ever meeting between Benin and Botswana at the Africa Cup of Nations. All of Botswana’s previous AFCON matches have been against West African opposition, making Benin the fifth West African team they face at the finals. Benin, meanwhile, have faced 14 different opponents at AFCON and are playing their 16th match in the tournament.

Benin – Key Statistics

Benin lost their opening match against DR Congo, marking their 10th defeat in 15 AFCON matches.
The goal conceded was the 25th Benin have allowed in AFCON finals.
Benin are only the second team, after Mozambique, to fail to win any of their first 15 AFCON matches.
This is their sixth AFCON appearance, with four opening-match defeats.
Against DR Congo, Benin dominated possession with 60% and completed 380 passes compared to 224 by their opponents.
Olivier Verdon recorded 98 touches and 77 completed passes, while Richard Mounié registered five successful dribbles and won 10 duels.

Botswana – Key Statistics

Botswana opened with a 3–0 defeat to Senegal and have lost all four AFCON matches.
Failure to win would make them the second team after Benin to lose their first five matches.
They failed to register a shot on target against Senegal for the first time at AFCON.
Goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko made 14 saves, the most by any goalkeeper in a single AFCON match on record.
Botswana have yet to keep a clean sheet at AFCON finals, and all their matches so far have produced a winner.

Both teams will be desperate to secure their first victory at the tournament, making this Group D clash a must-watch encounter for fans of emerging African football nations.

AFCON 2025: Benin Republic Faces Stern Test from Tournament Rookie Botswana

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