AFCON: Senegal vs Botswana Prediction 23/12/25

Betting on Goals

Senegal are big favourites to win AFCON 2026 and rightfully so.Their squad is dripping with talent from Europe’s big leagues and are used to playing in Champions League matches. A glance across their squad sees surnames like Diouf (West Ham), Gueye (Everton, Villareal), Jackson (Bayern Munich), Sarr (Spurs, Strasburg, Palace), Dia (Lazio) and more. They showed their full ability when they dismantled England 3-1 at Wembley in June. After that they completed World Cup Qualification at a canter with 7 wins and 3 draws from their 10 games. They also qualified for AFCON with a nearly unblemished record winning 5 of 6 and drawing the other. Botswana on the other hand are more than happy just to be here. They haven’t qualified for this competition since back in 2012 and will be just hoping they can do enough to hold on to the coattails of the big boys in this edition. Their squad is largely made up of domestic and African league players, with the exception of Renei Batlokwa, an Essex lower non-league journeyman who now plays for Bowers & Pitsea – after spells at Canvey, Maldon, Concord and Southend! That’s one of the joys of this tournament for some of the less known players taking on superstars. Botswana play defensive football. It didn’t help them in World Cup qualifying but they made it to AFCON via finishing 2nd behind Egypt who they drew with and above Cape Verde (who did qualify for the World Cup!). This game is going to be all about Senegal, however I don’t think Botswana are gonna go down without a fight in this opener. Back under 2.75 goals, I think 2 nil will do for Senegal who won’t be risking slipping up in the first game of the campaign.