MATCH STATS: Benin vs Botswana – TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Group D

Two nations still searching for their first win at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Benin and Botswana meet in their second Group D fixtures at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympique Annexe in Rabat on 27 December. Kick-off is at 13h30 local time (12h30 GMT).

Benin opened their campaign with a defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo and are now winless in 15 matches at AFCON finals.

Botswana suffered a 3–0 loss to Senegal in their opening match and have lost all four of their AFCON games to date.

Botswana will be looking to avoid becoming the second nation, after Benin, to lose their first five matches at AFCON finals. Benin previously lost their first six matches at the tournament.

This is the first-ever meeting between Benin and Botswana.

All of Botswana’s AFCON matches have been against West African opposition, with Benin becoming the fifth West African side they have faced at the finals.

Botswana are the 14th different team Benin have faced at AFCON in what is their 16th match at the tournament. Nigeria are the only team Benin have faced more than once at AFCON.

 

PAST MEETINGS

OVERALL
Benin: P0 W0 D0 L0 GF0 GA0 GD0
Botswana: P0 W0 D0 L0 GF0 GA0 GD0

AFCON ONLY
None – first AFCON meeting between Benin and Botswana.

 

Benin – Key Statistics

·       Benin lost their opening match against DR Congo, their 10th defeat in 15 AFCON matches.

·       The goal conceded against DR Congo was the 25th Benin have allowed at AFCON finals.

·       Benin are only the second team, after Mozambique (16), to fail to win any of their first 15 AFCON matches.

·       Appearing at their sixth AFCON, Benin have now lost their opening match for the fourth time.

·       Prior to the defeat against DR Congo, Benin had drawn their opening matches in 2010 and 2019, both ending 2–2 against Mozambique and Ghana respectively.

·       They were on a three-match unbeaten run in AFCON group games before losing to DR Congo, having drawn all three group matches at the previous edition.

·       In 16 AFCON matches, Benin have kept only two clean sheets, both coming in 2019 with successive 0–0 group-stage draws against Guinea-Bissau and Cameroon.

·       Benin have started an AFCON with defeats in their first two matches on two previous occasions: in 2004 (against South Africa and Morocco) and in 2008 (against Mali and Côte d’Ivoire).

·       Their overall record in second group matches shows three defeats, all against Nigeria in 2004, 2008 and 2010, and one draw in 2019.

·       Failure to score would see Benin fail to score in their opening two matches for only the second time, after 2004. In their other three AFCON appearances, they have scored at least once in their first two matches.

·       This is Benin’s third AFCON match against Southern African opposition: they lost 2–0 to South Africa in 2004 and drew 2–2 with Mozambique in 2010.

·       Benin surrendered a 2–0 lead to draw 2–2 with Mozambique in the 2010 tournament.

·       They dominated possession against DR Congo with 60%.

·       The 60% possession recorded against DR Congo is the highest Benin have had in a single AFCON match.

·       Benin completed 380 passes against DR Congo, while their opponents completed 224.

·       Olivier Verdon registered 98 touches, attempted 89 passes and completed 77, all the most in the match.

·       Richard Mounié completed five successful dribbles against DR Congo, the most in the game, and also won the most duels (10).

 

Botswana – Key Statistics

·       Botswana began with a 3–0 defeat to Senegal.

·       Botswana have lost all four of their AFCON matches.

·       Defeat in this match would see Botswana become the second team, after Benin, to lose their first five AFCON matches.

·       They failed to register a shot on target against Senegal, the first time this has happened to them in an AFCON match.

·       Botswana faced 17 shots on target against Senegal.

·       Goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko made 14 saves against Senegal, the most by a goalkeeper on record in an AFCON match.

·       The 17 shots on target faced by Botswana is the most any team has faced in an AFCON match since at least 2010.

·       Mosha Gaolaolwe completed 30 passes against Senegal, the most by any Botswana outfield player in the match.

·       All of Botswana’s AFCON matches have produced a winner; they have yet to be involved in a draw at the tournament.

·       Botswana are yet to keep a clean sheet at AFCON finals.