Senegal and Botswana have met twice in international competition, both during the qualification campaign for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Senegal won both matches, securing their place in the finals in Equatorial Guinea. Senegal topped Group G with 15 points from six matches and qualified for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Botswana finished bottom of the group with 1 point and did not qualify.
2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
First leg
Date: 10 September 2014
Venue: Botswana National Stadium, Gaborone
Result: Botswana 0–2 Senegal
Goals:
- Senegal: Sadio Mané (19'), Dame N'Doye (74')
Summary:
Senegal began their Group G campaign with a composed away win. Sadio Mané scored his first competitive goal for Senegal, finishing a swift counterattack. Dame N'Doye sealed the victory with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
Notable debuts:
- Sadio Mané’s goal marked his emergence as a key figure for Senegal.
Senegal dominated the match from start to finish. Mbodji opened the scoring with a header from a Papakouly Diop corner. Cissé doubled the lead with a clinical finish after a Moussa Sow assist. Sow later added a third with a curling shot.
Notable appearances:
- Papiss Cissé earned his 24th cap and scored his 16th international goal. - Moussa Sow reached his 21st cap and contributed a goal and an assist.
Substitutions:
- Mame Biram Diouf replaced Cissé in the second half. - Sadio Mané came on for Diop.
Benin and DR Congo met twice in Group J of the CAF second round for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. These matches were pivotal in determining which team advanced to the final playoff round.
First Leg – 6 September 2021
- **Venue:** Stade de l'Amitié, Cotonou, Benin - **Result:** Benin 1–1 DR Congo - **Goals:**
- DR Congo: Dieumerci Mbokani (12') - Benin: Jordan Adéoti (34')
- **Bookings:**
- DR Congo: Charles Akolo (65'), Edo Kayembe (90+5') - Benin: Rodrigue Kossi (67')
DR Congo took an early lead through veteran striker Dieumerci Mbokani, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range. Benin responded with a well-placed header by Jordan Adéoti following a corner kick. Mbokani’s goal came after a quick transition and a low cross from Yannick Bolasie. Adéoti’s equalizer was set up by a flick-on from Steve Mounié.
Benin introduced Jodel Dossou and Charbel Gomez in the second half to increase attacking pressure. DR Congo brought on Neeskens Kebano and Elia Meschack for fresh legs.
Second Leg – 14 November 2021
- **Venue:** Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo - **Result:** DR Congo 2–0 Benin - **Goals:**
DR Congo delivered a commanding performance in front of a home crowd. Mbokani opened the scoring early with a header from a Chancel Mbemba cross. Ben Malango sealed the win with a powerful strike after a through ball from Samuel Moutoussamy. Mbemba’s overlapping run and pinpoint delivery set up the opener. Malango’s goal came from a well-timed run behind the defense.
Mbokani earned his 45th cap and scored his 22nd international goal. Malango’s goal marked his third in World Cup qualifying. DR Congo introduced Yannick Bolasie and Jackson Muleka late to manage the game. Benin made attacking changes but failed to break down DR Congo’s defense.
DR Congo topped the group with 11 points, advancing to the final playoff round. Benin finished second with 10 points, narrowly missing out due to the loss in Kinshasa. The second-leg victory was decisive, as DR Congo leapfrogged Benin on the final matchday.
Senegal and DR Congo (formerly Congo-Kinshasa and Zaire) will meet for the 11th time in international competition during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The rivalry spans over five decades, featuring pivotal matches in AFCON tournaments, qualifiers, and World Cup campaigns. Senegal holds a slight edge in the head-to-head record, with several memorable victories.
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Meetings
1968 AFCON – Group Stage - **Date:** 16 January 1968 - **Venue:** Ethiopia - **Result:** Congo-Kinshasa 2–1 Senegal
In their first-ever meeting, Congo-Kinshasa (now DR Congo) edged Senegal in a tightly contested group-stage match. The win helped Congo advance to the semifinals, while Senegal exited early.
2002 AFCON – Group Stage - **Date:** 4 February 2002 - **Venue:** Mali - **Result:** Senegal 2–0 DR Congo - **Goals:** Henri Camara, El Hadji Diouf
Senegal dominated the match with goals from Camara and Diouf, showcasing the attacking flair that would carry them to the final. DR Congo struggled to contain Senegal’s pace and creativity.
2012 AFCON Qualifiers – Group Stage
Senegal and DR Congo were drawn together in Group E.
First Leg – 5 September 2010 (Kinshasa): DR Congo 2–4 Senegal
A balanced draw in a high-stakes match. Both teams showed tactical discipline, with Diallo’s opener canceled out by Wissa’s late equalizer.
Second Leg – 9 September 2025 (Kinshasa): DR Congo 2–3 Senegal
- **Goals:** - DR Congo: Cedric Bakambu, Samuel Moutoussamy - Senegal: Sadio Mané, Nicolas Jackson, Pape Matar Sarr
Senegal came from behind to win a thrilling match in Kinshasa. Mané’s leadership and Jackson’s pace proved decisive. The win placed Senegal at the top of the group, boosting their qualification hopes.
Benin and Botswana will meet for the first time ever during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
• First-Ever Meeting: This will be the inaugural clash between the two nations at any level. • Regional Contrast: West Africa (Benin) vs Southern Africa (Botswana), both with distinct footballing styles. • Potential Stakes: Depending on group dynamics, this match could be decisive for knockout qualification.
Benin and Senegal will meet for the 11th time in international competition during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The rivalry dates back to the early 1960s, when both nations competed under different names in colonial-era tournaments. Senegal has historically dominated the fixture, but Benin has shown resilience in recent meetings.
Historical Context
- **First Meeting:** 31 December 1961 - **Competition:** French Colonial Tournament - **Result:** Benin 4–3 Senegal - **Note:**
- At the time, Benin competed as **Dahomey**, and Senegal retained its current name post-independence. - This match is considered the first official encounter between the two nations, though it predates modern FIFA-sanctioned competition.
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Meetings
2019 AFCON – Quarterfinal - **Date:** 10 July 2019 - **Venue:** Cairo International Stadium, Egypt - **Result:** Senegal 1–0 Benin - **Goal:** Idrissa Gana Gueye (70') - **Bookings:
- Benin: Olivier Verdon (red card, 83') for a last-man foul - Senegal: Kalidou Koulibaly (yellow card)
Senegal broke the deadlock in a tense match with Gueye finishing a slick one-two with Sadio Mané. Benin defended resolutely and had a goal disallowed for offside. Senegal advanced to the semifinals and eventually reached the final, while Benin exited after their best-ever AFCON run.
AFCON Qualifiers - **2023 Qualifiers:**
- **4 June 2022 (Dakar):** Senegal 3–1 Benin - Goals: Sadio Mané (hat-trick); Steve Mounié (Benin) - Mané’s performance marked his 30th international goal. - **17 June 2023 (Cotonou):** Benin 1–1 Senegal - Goals: Abdoulaye Seck (Senegal); Jodel Dossou (Benin) - The draw helped Senegal top the group.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
2002 FIFA World Cup – CAF First Round - **First Leg – 9 April 2000 (Cotonou):** Benin 1–1 Senegal
- Goals: Rogatien Abbey (Benin); Henri Camara (Senegal)
- **Second Leg – 23 April 2000 (Dakar):** Senegal 1–0 Benin
- Goal: El Hadji Diouf
Senegal advanced to the second round and eventually qualified for their first-ever World Cup in 2002, where they reached the quarterfinals. Benin’s campaign ended in the first round.
Other Notable Matches
- **WAFU Nations Cup 2017:** Senegal 4–0 Benin - **WAFU Nations Cup 2019:** Senegal 1–0 Benin - **International Friendly – 26 March 2024:** Senegal 1–0 Benin
Botswana and DR Congo will meet for the sixth time in international competition during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. While DR Congo has historically been the stronger side, Botswana has held its own in several tightly contested matches. Their encounters span AFCON qualifiers, regional tournaments, and friendlies.
2004 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers – Group 9
Botswana and DR Congo were drawn into Group 9 alongside Libya and Swaziland. DR Congo topped the group and qualified for the 2004 AFCON, while Botswana finished last.
First Leg – 13 October 2002 (Kinshasa): DR Congo 2–0 Botswana
- **Goals:** DR Congo scored twice in the second half, capitalizing on defensive errors.
- **Summary:** DR Congo controlled possession and created more chances. Botswana’s midfield struggled to contain the Congolese attack.
Second Leg – 5 July 2003 (Gaborone): Botswana 0–0 DR Congo
- **Summary:** Botswana held DR Congo to a goalless draw in a disciplined defensive performance.
- **Notable Moment:** Defender Pius Kolagano was substituted in the 40th minute due to injury.
- **Group Outcome:** - DR Congo finished first with 11 points and qualified for the 2004 AFCON. - Botswana ended the campaign with 3 points and failed to qualify.
2016 COSAFA Cup – Semifinal
- **Date:** 22 June 2016
- **Venue:** Sam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek, Namibia
- **Result:** Botswana 0–0 DR Congo (Botswana won 5–4 on penalties)
- **Summary:**
The match was a tactical stalemate, with both teams creating few clear chances. Botswana’s goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe made two crucial saves during the shootout. - **Penalty Shootout:** - Botswana converted all five penalties. - DR Congo missed one, handing Botswana a place in the final. - **Significance:** - Botswana’s win was considered a major upset, knocking out one of the tournament’s favorites. - DR Congo fielded a strong squad despite being a guest team in the COSAFA Cup.
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