TANGER, Morocco (Dec. 23, 2025) (Interstat) — Senegal opened its Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Botswana on Tuesday at Stade Ibn Batouta. The result defied a pregame projection from Interstat, whose simulator had forecast a 1-0 win for Botswana, though its ELO system favored Senegal with a 65.3% win probability.

Forward Nicolas Jackson led the hosts with two first-half goals, striking in the 40th and 58th minutes. Chérif Ndiaye added a third in the 90th minute to seal the win. Substitutes Gape Mohutsiwa of Botswana and Omaatla Kebatho of Senegal, along with Senegal’s Krépin Diatta, provided assists. All three were also shown yellow cards in a physical second half.

The match marked a winning start for Senegal in the tournament, while Botswana seeks its first victory.