Benin ended a 15-match winless run at the Africa Cup of Nations finals with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Botswana at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Saturday, December 27, 2025.
The result marked Benin’s first-ever AFCON finals win and only their third clean sheet in tournament history, achieved in the first competitive meeting between the two nations.
For Botswana, the defeat extended their difficult AFCON record, with the Zebras now having lost all five matches they have played at the finals.
The victory lifts Benin to three points in Group D, keeping them firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stage.
Benin nearly made the perfect start when Steve Mounié found the net in the fourth minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside after the striker mistimed his run.
Just three minutes later, Aiyegun Tosin attempted an audacious bicycle kick, though his effort failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
Botswana had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 26th minute when Tumisang Orebonye met a loose ball inside the box following a set piece, but he scuffed his volley high over the bar from close range.
The breakthrough came two minutes later at the other end. Mounié slipped a pass into the path of left-back Yohan Roche, whose shot took a deflection and looped over goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko into the net to give Benin a deserved lead.
Botswana came close to an equaliser in the 37th minute through Mothusi Johnson, whose curling free kick beat goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou but crashed off the crossbar.
Benin had several chances to put the game beyond doubt in the second half.
In the 65th minute, Tamimou Ouorou forced a fine save from Phoko, but Mounié failed to convert the rebound from point-blank range.
Five minutes later, Ouorou tried his luck from distance after Roche’s cross drifted through the box, but Phoko was again equal to the effort.
The Cheetahs wasted one final opportunity in stoppage time when Junior Olaitan picked out Dodo Dokou in a crowded penalty area, but the midfielder was unable to apply the finishing touch.
Despite the missed chances, Benin held firm to secure a historic victory.
They will now look to seal qualification for the knockout phase when they face Senegal in their final Group D match at the Grand Stade de Tanger on Tuesday, December 30.
For Botswana, the loss confirms their elimination, making the Zebras the first team to exit the AFCON 2025 tournament.
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Story by Xavier Mensah | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Erica Odeenyin Odoom
