Senegal vs Botswana Prediction Africa Cup of Nations 23.12.2025
Senegal vs Botswana Prediction Africa Cup of Nations
Senegal vs Botswana Prediction and Betting Tips for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 15:00 GMT. The match will be broadcast live on beIN Sports and Canal+ from the Grand Stade de Tanger in Morocco. The Teranga Lions are looking to reclaim their throne after a disappointing exit in the previous edition, and they couldn’t have asked for a more favorable start on paper. With Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson in high spirits following an 8-0 friendly demolition of Kenya, the energy around the camp is electric. In this article, you’ll discover African Cup of Nations Predictor from XpertStats tipsters.
- Senegal comes into AFCON 2025 as a major favorite, having lost only one of their last 26 competitive matches.
- The Teranga Lions have a remarkable opening-day record, avoiding defeat in 15 of their 17 previous tournament openers.
- Botswana is making only its second-ever appearance at the AFCON finals, with their last visit dating back to 2012.
- The Zebras are still searching for their first-ever victory at an AFCON tournament after losing all three group games in their debut.
- Senegal’s defense was impenetrable during qualification, conceding only a single goal across six matches.
- The two sides have met twice before in qualifiers, with Senegal winning both encounters by a combined score of 5-0.
The home side, led by Pape Thiaw, is a well-oiled machine that rarely gives anything away. Senegal’s home form—even when playing at neutral venues in Morocco—is built on a bedrock of defensive discipline and explosive wing play. They have kept 15 clean sheets in their last 22 AFCON finals matches, a stat that should keep the Botswana attackers awake at night. While they’ll miss the injured Assane Diao, the depth in this squad is frightening. Most of their recent games have trended toward the Over 2.5 goals mark, largely because they simply don’t stop scoring once they find the first. Can anyone really stop this frontline when it clicks? It’s a terrifying prospect for any defense.
Botswana enters this clash as the ultimate underdog, but don’t expect them to just roll over and play dead. Coach Morena Ramoreboli has instilled a sense of grit in this team, evidenced by their heroic 1-1 draw against Egypt to seal qualification. However, their away form and recent defensive record tell a different story. The Zebras have struggled for consistency, losing four of their last five outings and conceding late goals, like the brace they allowed against Tunisia in a recent friendly. They often play a low block, hoping to frustrate opponents, which usually leads to Under 2.5 trends in competitive settings. Still, when the pressure mounts against elite opposition, the cracks tend to show. That’s a massive mountain to climb, even for a team with nothing to lose.
As we look at the tactical setup, the gulf in class is hard to ignore. Senegal’s veterans like Koulibaly and Gueye provide a level of composure that Botswana simply hasn’t faced regularly. While the Zebras will try to park the bus and pray for a counter-attacking miracle, the sheer volume of Senegalese quality should eventually break the deadlock. It’s hard to say how this will end in terms of a specific scoreline, but the historical data points toward a shutout. Based on the African Cup of Nations Predictor metrics, the focus remains on Senegal’s ability to dominate the tempo and exploit the physical fatigue of a Botswana side that will spend most of the afternoon chasing shadows. It should be a professional performance from the title contenders.
Although Morocco currently attracts more media attention, Senegal is emerging as the genuine favorite for the Africa Cup of Nations. Boasting a high-quality squad, the Lions of Teranga are described as the tournament's most balanced team. Driven by a spirit of revenge following previous setbacks, Pape Thiaw’s side combines tactical discipline with elite talent to remain a formidable contender for the continental title.
The disparity between these two nations is vast, making a Senegal (-1.5) handicap the standout choice. Senegal’s defensive record is perhaps the best in Africa, keeping 15 clean sheets in their last 22 AFCON finals matches. This means Botswana will likely need to keep a clean sheet of their own to stay within the handicap, a task they haven't managed well lately, conceding two late goals to Tunisia and three to Algeria. Senegal’s playing style under Pape Thiaw focuses on high pressing and rapid transitions, which will exhaust a Botswana side that typically relies on a low block. As the Zebras tire in the second half, Senegal’s ability to bring quality substitutes like Ismaïla Sarr off the bench should see them pull away. With a historical 5-0 aggregate scoreline in this matchup, a two-goal victory for the Lions of Teranga is the minimum expectation.
Watch Senegal vs Botswana Last Match Highlights
FAQ – Senegal vs Botswana Prediction
Who is the favorite to win between Senegal and Botswana?
Senegal is the heavy favorite due to their world-class squad and perfect historical record against Botswana, having won both previous meetings without conceding.
Where can I watch Senegal vs Botswana live?
The Senegal vs Botswana Africa Cup of Nations match will be broadcast live on beIN Sports and Canal+.
What time does Senegal vs Botswana start?
Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 (GMT) on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
Author
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Alexandru Florin is a football betting expert, providing tips and accumulator predictions for xpertstats.com since 2022. With a strong focus on data-driven analysis, he delivers well-researched insights and reliable advice for bettors aiming for long-term profit.
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