Benin and Botswana both arrived in Rabat desperate to record their first win of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and it was Benin who finally celebrated after grinding out a 1-0 victory in their Group D clash at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympique Annexe.
Benin opened the tournament with defeat to DR Congo and came into the fixture on a long barren run, having failed to win any of their previous 15 matches at the AFCON finals. Botswana were also under pressure after a heavy 3-0 loss to Senegal in their opener, extending their miserable tournament record to four defeats from four games. This was the first time the two nations had ever met at the finals.
Botswana created the first clear opening in the 20th minute when Tumisang Orebonye found space in the box, but his low effort was pushed away by Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou. That missed chance proved costly eight minutes later. A clever pass from Steve Mounié unlocked the Botswana defence and Roche reacted quickest to guide the ball home from the edge of the box to put Benin in front.
Botswana nearly levelled before the break when Johnson stepped up for a free kick and curled a superb strike over the wall, only to see it crash against the crossbar with Dandjinou beaten. Benin continued to look the sharper of the two sides, carrying more attacking threat as the Zebras were forced deeper to contain the pressure.
The second half began with plenty of intensity but also frequent stoppages as both teams committed fouls in midfield. Benin looked the more composed side in possession and almost doubled their advantage in the 65th minute when Tamimou Ouorou pounced on a rebound inside the box, only to fire wide with the goalkeeper stranded. Botswana struggled to build attacking momentum and were frequently pinned in their own half as Benin pushed forward in search of a decisive second goal.
Despite late pressure from the Zebras, Benin defended solidly and restricted their opponents to half chances, seeing out the remaining minutes to earn a long-awaited victory and revive their hopes of progressing from the group.
Benin next face group leaders Senegal on December 30, while Botswana, whose qualification chances are fading, will meet DR Congo in their final group match.
