Senegal vs Botswana prediction 23.12.2025 | AFCON

Senegal arrive at AFCON 2025 with a strong statistical profile and impressive recent form. The 2021 champions have made 18 AFCON finals appearances and have avoided defeat in 15 of their 17 opening matches at the tournament, winning 10 of those. Their most recent opening-match victory was a 3-0 win over Gambia at the 2023 edition. Senegal also finished qualifying unbeaten, conceding just one goal in six matches - the joint fewest among all qualified teams - and produced the joint top scorers of the qualifying campaign, with Sadio Mané and Habib Diarra each netting three goals.

In terms of recent form, Senegal enter this fixture on the back of several standout results, including an emphatic 8-0 win over Kenya and a 4-0 victory over Mauritania, alongside competitive performances against elite international opposition such as Brazil, although they ultimately fell short in that encounter, losing 2-0. In 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, Senegal secured a direct place at the tournament, finishing top of Group B with 24 points and remaining unbeaten throughout the campaign.

Injury concerns include winger Assane Diao, who has been managing fitness issues in the weeks leading up to the tournament, potentially affecting Senegal’s attacking depth.

Botswana’s AFCON history is limited, with their only previous finals appearance coming in 2012, when they lost all three group-stage matches. Their sole goal at that tournament came from a penalty converted by Dipsy Selolwane. In qualifying for AFCON 2025, Botswana’s attacking output was among the lowest of the qualified teams, with just four goals scored, yet they still progressed by finishing second in Group C with eight points. However, their performances in CAF World Cup qualification for 2026 were far less successful, as Botswana finished second from bottom in Group G, ending the campaign 15 points behind group winners Algeria.

Recent form has been mixed. Botswana’s latest results include a 2-2 draw with Guinea in World Cup qualifying, but performances throughout 2025 have exposed defensive vulnerabilities and ongoing difficulties in converting matches into victories. Across their last 10 fixtures, Botswana have recorded one win, five draws, and four defeats, highlighting inconsistency and limited attacking productivity.