AFCON 2026: Senegal too strong for Botswana
Senegal sent a strong message this Tuesday for their entry into the competition in Morocco. The Teranga Lions, without much difficulties, won 3-0 against Botswana with a double from Nicolas Jackson. Ahead of the second day and the clash against the DR Congo, the Lions are leaders of Group D.
Philemon MBALE · Author profile ·
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Botswanan's resistance was shortlift
On paper, there was no match between Senegal and Botswana. And this reality was palpable on the ground with a territorial domination of Pape Thiaw’s men. Senegal attacked from the start with their very complementary offensive quartet. Sadio Mané called on Phoko Goitseone with a left-footi short from the start, but the Botswanan keeper won his duel against the Senegalese superstar.
Pape Gueye and Ismaila Sarr then tried their luck, and respectively faced a regrouped and hermetic defense of the Zebras. But Senegal will continue to push, with such a flamboyant game, but lacked finishing in the final move break the deadlock.
Nicolas Jackson takes the lead
With a Sadio Mané in number 10 who often switched with Ismaila Sarr on the left side, it was Nicolas Jackson who occupied the axis of the attack. Bayern Munich’s centre forward will make his sense of purpose speak on a left-footed break following a back cross from Ismail Jakobs at the 40th to finally unlock the situation in favor of Senegal. The Lions calmly managed this advantage until the break.
Back from the changing rooms, Nicolas Jackson and his teammates immediately put their foot on the gas and the goal of the break arrived very quickly. After six minutes in this second period, the Lions will find the net. This time from the right on a nice cross from Sarr who found Nicola Jackson for his second goal that put Senegal in shelter from the 51st.
A strong signal sent to the DR Congo
The latter will seek his hat-trick by all means, but without succeeding before giving up his place to Cherif Ndiaye in the 78th minute of play. It was the latter who scored the third and final goal of the game in the 90th minute on a serve by another substitute, Cheikh Sabaly.
Senegal won 3-0 and took the lead in Group D before the clash of Saturday against the DR Congo (15h GMT) which won earlier in the day against Benin (1-0). The Lions especially send a strong message to the Leopards before this great meeting.