Senegal sent an early warning to their AFCON 2025 rivals after sweeping aside Botswana 3-0 in Tangier on Tuesday night, with Nicolas Jackson leading the charge.
The former champions were in complete control from start to finish, dictating the tempo and moving the ball with purpose as they launched their quest to reclaim the title surrendered to Côte d’Ivoire two years ago.
Jackson broke the resistance shortly before halftime, calmly converting Ismail Jakobs’ inviting delivery from the left following sustained pressure from the Lions of Teranga.
Botswana were largely pinned back in the opening period and owed much to goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko, whose string of saves denied Jackson, Sadio Mané and Iliman Ndiaye from extending the lead before the interval.
Senegal picked up where they left off after the restart and doubled their advantage in the 58th minute, Jackson racing through to finish confidently after a perfectly weighted pass from Ismaila Sarr.
The result was put beyond doubt in added time as substitute Chérif Ndiaye turned in Cheikh Sabaly’s cross to round off a composed and professional team performance.
Jackson’s brace earned him the TotalEnergies Man of the Match award, with the striker keeping his feet on the ground.
