Senegal kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations campaign in style with a dominant 3-0 victory over Botswana in Match Round 1 at the prestigious tournament. The atmosphere was electric as both teams took to the pitch, but it was the Senegalese side who ultimately stole the show with a commanding performance.
The match got off to an intense start, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination to secure a vital early win. However, it was Senegal who drew first blood in the 40th minute when Nicolas Jackson found the back of the net with a clinical finish, giving his team a crucial 1-0 lead just before halftime.
As the second half got underway, Senegal continued to press forward and dominate possession, with Nicolas Jackson once again proving to be a thorn in Botswana’s side. In the 58th minute, Jackson doubled his tally with another well-taken goal, extending Senegal’s lead to 2-0 and putting them firmly in control of the match.
Despite their best efforts, Botswana struggled to break down Senegal’s resilient defense, and their hopes of a comeback were dashed in the dying moments of the game. In the 90th minute, Pape Cherif Ndiaye put the final nail in the coffin with a clinical finish to make it 3-0 in favor of Senegal.
The victory was a testament to Senegal’s quality and determination, with their attacking prowess and defensive solidity on full display throughout the match. As they look ahead to the rest of the tournament, Senegal will be buoyed by this impressive performance and will be aiming to go all the way in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the tournament unfolds, as Senegal’s quest for glory continues to gather momentum.
- Senegal will play with Congo DR. December 27 at 15:00 (GMT), on Stade Ibn Batouta.
- Botswana will play with Benin. December 27 at 12:30 (GMT), on Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah.
Senegal
- Édouard Osoque Mendy (6.6)
- Krépin Diatta (7.5)
- Kalidou Koulibaly (7.5)
- Moussa Niakhaté (6.9)
- Ismail Joshua Jakobs (6.9)
- Idrissa Gana Gueye (8)
- Pape Alassane Gueye (6.9)
- Ismaïla Sarr (7.3)
- Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye (7.2)
- Sadio Mané (7)
- Nicolas Jackson (8.9)
Botswana
Substitutions:
Senegal
- Pape Alassane Gueye (Lamine Camara, 69)
- Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye (Ibrahim Mbaye, 69)
- Nicolas Jackson (Pape Cherif Ndiaye, 78)
- Sadio Mané (Pathé Ismaël Ciss, 78)
- Ismaïla Sarr (Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly, 85)
Botswana
- Tumisang Orebonye (T. Maponda, 61)
- Omaatla Kebatho (Thabang Vicent Sesinyi, 61)
- Kabelo Seakanyeng (Thatayaone Witness Kgamanyane, 80)
- Gape Mohutsiwa (G. Modingwane, 80)
- Mothusi Cooper (Gilbert Baruti, 81)
Ball possession:
In a thrilling encounter between Senegal and Botswana, the Lions of Teranga dominated possession with a commanding 68% to the Zebras’ 32%. The match showcased a clear disparity in control as Senegal orchestrated their attacks with precision while Botswana struggled to break free from their defensive shackles.
Senegal’s offensive prowess was on full display as they launched an impressive total of 28 shots towards the opposition’s goal, with 17 finding their mark. Leading the charge for the Senegalese side was the dynamic forward Nicolas Jackson, whose relentless attacking presence kept the Botswana defense on high alert throughout the match.
On the other hand, Botswana found themselves largely contained by Senegal’s resolute defense, managing only 4 shots on target, none of which troubled the opposition goalkeeper. Despite the limited opportunities, Moshe Gaolaolwe stood out for the Zebras with his efforts to test the Senegalese defense, showcasing glimpses of skill and determination.
Overall, Senegal’s dominance in possession and clinical finishing proved to be the decisive factors in securing a well-deserved victory. The Lions of Teranga’s cohesive teamwork and offensive flair were on full display, leaving Botswana with a mountain to climb in their quest for success on the international stage.
Passes:
In a thrilling encounter between Senegal and Botswana, the passing accuracy of the players shone brightly under the floodlights. Idrissa Gana Gueye of Senegal showcased his precision on the ball with an impressive pass accuracy of 89% from a total of 105 passes. Not to be outdone, Goitseone Phoko of Botswana displayed his own mastery of passing with a remarkable accuracy rate of 90% from 44 passes.
The midfield maestros, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye of Senegal and Mothusi Johnson of Botswana, also made their mark on the match with their creativity on the ball. Ndiaye orchestrated the play with 4 key passes, demonstrating his ability to unlock defenses and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. On the other side, Johnson showed his vision and awareness by providing 2 key passes, adding a spark to Botswana’s attacking play.
The match was a testament to the importance of accurate passing in modern football, with both teams showcasing their technical proficiency and tactical awareness. Senegal and Botswana treated the fans to a spectacle of skillful passing and intelligent play, leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed their artistry on the pitch.
As the final whistle blew, it was clear that the passing accuracy of these players had left an indelible mark on the match, highlighting their crucial role in shaping the outcome of the game. Senegal and Botswana may have battled fiercely on the field, but it was the precision passing of players like Gueye, Phoko, Ndiaye, and Johnson that truly stole the show in this captivating encounter.
Defense:
Senegal showcased a solid defensive display in their thrilling encounter against Botswana, with interceptions and blocks playing a pivotal role in the outcome of the match. The game was characterized by a keenly contested battle for possession, with both teams demonstrating a high level of defensive organization.
Senegal’s backline was particularly impressive in their ability to disrupt Botswana’s attacking rhythm, registering a total of 6 interceptions throughout the match. Lamine Camara led the defensive charge for Senegal with an outstanding tally of 3 interceptions, showcasing his astute reading of the game and tactical awareness.
On the other side, Botswana also displayed resilience in defense, tallying up 4 interceptions to thwart Senegal’s attacking threats. Alford Velaphi was a standout performer for Botswana in this regard, contributing with 1 interception to disrupt Senegal’s offensive momentum.
Despite the overall defensive quality on display, it was Sadio Mané of Senegal who managed to make a crucial interception that ultimately turned the tide of the match. His solitary interception proved to be decisive in snuffing out a dangerous Botswana attack and setting up a counter-attacking opportunity for Senegal.
Botswana, however, showcased their defensive prowess with a total of 5 interceptions, with Moshe Gaolaolwe leading the defensive charts with 2 crucial interceptions. His timely interventions helped Botswana maintain a solid defensive shape and frustrate Senegal’s forward line.
In conclusion, the match between Senegal and Botswana was a testament to the importance of defensive actions such as interceptions and blocks in shaping the outcome of a game. Both teams demonstrated commendable defensive discipline and organization, with individual performances standing out in a tightly contested fixture.
Face-to-face:
In a highly contested match between Senegal and Botswana, it was a battle of wills as defensive stalwart Kalidou Koulibaly of Senegal and relentless forward Tumisang Orebonye of Botswana engaged in numerous face-to-face duels for the ball, each refusing to give an inch to their opponent.
With both players registering an impressive 9 face-to-face fights for possession, it was a display of sheer determination and skill that kept the fans on the edge of their seats throughout the game.
Koulibaly, known for his commanding presence at the back, showcased his defensive prowess by thwarting Orebonye’s advances with impeccable timing and physicality. On the other hand, Orebonye’s relentless pursuit of the ball and quick footwork posed a constant threat to Koulibaly and the Senegalese defense.
The match saw both players pushing themselves to the limit, showing great tenacity and competitive spirit as they battled for control of the game. Despite their best efforts, neither Koulibaly nor Orebonye could gain a clear upper hand, highlighting the evenly matched nature of the contest.
In the end, the duel between Koulibaly and Orebonye added an extra layer of intensity and excitement to an already thrilling encounter, leaving spectators in awe of their skill and determination. It was a true showcase of top-level football talent and a testament to the competitive spirit of both players.
As the final whistle blew, the duel between Koulibaly and Orebonye will be remembered as a highlight of the match, showcasing the best of what both players bring to the game.
Fouls:
Yellow cards:
- Krépin Diatta (Senegal) at 44 minute
- Gape Mohutsiwa (Botswana) at 35 minute
- Omaatla Kebatho (Botswana) at 51 minute
The last five games (including this match):
- Senegal – W
- Botswana – L
Top 5 Africa Cup of Nations scorers:
- Prince Mpumelelo Dube (2, Zimbabwe)
- Nicolas Jackson (2, Senegal)
- Lassine Sinayoko (1, Mali)
- Manuel Luís da Silva Cafumana (1, Angola)
- Lyle Brent Foster (1, South Africa)
Line-ups:
Next games:
- Senegal will play with Congo DR. December 27 at 15:00 (GMT), on Stade Ibn Batouta.
- Botswana will play with Benin. December 27 at 12:30 (GMT), on Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah.
