In a tense Group D clash at the Stade Olympique de Rabat, Benin etched their name into African football history on Saturday, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Botswana. Yohan Roche’s deflected strike in the 28th minute proved decisive, igniting celebrations among the Cheetahs’ supporters and keeping their hopes alive for a spot in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
The match, played under the bright lights of Morocco’s capital venue, showcased Benin’s resilience after a disappointing start to their campaign. Having suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to DR Congo in their opener, the West African side needed a response. Roche, a defender plying his trade in Europe, delivered just that with a goal assisted by captain Steve Mounié. The shot from inside the box took a fortunate deflection off a Botswana defender before nestling past goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko, leaving the Zebras reeling.
Benin started brightly, dominating possession in the early exchanges. They thought they had broken the deadlock in the 15th minute when Aiyegun Tosin found the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Botswana, stung by a 3-0 thrashing from Senegal in their first game, struggled to create clear chances but nearly equalised before halftime. Mothusi Johnson’s curling free-kick rattled the crossbar in the 38th minute, a moment that highlighted the Zebras’ threat on set pieces.
The second half saw Benin continue to press, with Tamimou Ouorou testing Phoko on multiple occasions. The Botswana keeper made several crucial saves to keep his team in the contest, but Benin’s defence held firm against late pressure. As the final whistle blew, the Cheetahs celebrated wildly, knowing this result marked their first-ever win at the AFCON finals after previous appearances in 2004, 2008, 2010, and 2019 yielded only draws and losses.
Botswana, making their second AFCON appearance since 2012, now face an uphill battle with zero points from two matches. Coach Morena Ramoreboli lamented his side’s inability to capitalise on opportunities. He noted that his team had chances in the first half that should have been converted and admitted that mistakes proved costly. Despite creating opportunities, Botswana failed to break through in the second half.
For Benin, the win was a testament to their progress under German coach Gernot Rohr, who has steered the team through challenging qualifiers. Rohr praised his players’ defensive solidity, stressing that the victory keeps qualification hopes alive. He also highlighted Roche’s response after a difficult opening match, celebrating his Man of the Match performance.
Roche himself was visibly emotional, dedicating the goal to his family and the people of Benin. He spoke about the pride of meeting expectations, staying focused, and overcoming the disappointment of the first match. Scoring the winning goal, he said, was a deeply personal and joyful moment.
The match formed part of a wider Group D storyline, as Senegal and DR Congo played out a 1-1 draw on the same day. Sadio Mané’s equaliser cancelled out an earlier goal, leaving both teams on four points after two games. Senegal lead the group on goal difference, followed by DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana.
AFCON 2025, hosted by Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, features 24 teams across six groups. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed sides, advance to the round of 16.
For Benin, a nation of roughly 13 million people with a football federation founded in 1962, the tournament offers a platform to build on steady progress. They qualified by finishing second behind Nigeria, blending homegrown talent with diaspora players such as Roche, who plays for French side Quevilly-Rouen.
Botswana’s return to AFCON after more than a decade was also notable. Under Ramoreboli, the Zebras topped a tough qualifying group that included Egypt by relying on structure and discipline. However, their finals campaign has been undermined by a lack of attacking threat, failing to score in two matches.
The implications are clear. Benin face Senegal next, knowing a positive result could secure a historic knockout qualification. Botswana must beat DR Congo and hope for favourable outcomes elsewhere to stay alive. With AFCON’s long history of surprises, nothing is guaranteed.
