Benin and Botswana face off in a high-stakes Group D encounter this Saturday in Rabat, with both teams desperate to revive their campaigns after opening-day defeats in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Following a narrow 1-0 loss to DR Congo, the Cheetahs of Benin are under pressure to secure a result before their daunting final group match against Senegal. For Botswana, who were dismantled 3-0 by the Teranga Lions, this fixture represents their most realistic opportunity to claim a historic first-ever point at an AFCON finals.
Match details: Time and Venue
The clash is the early kick-off for Saturday’s schedule, held in the outskirts of the Moroccan capital as Group D begins to take its final shape.
- Date: Saturday, 27 December 2025
- Kick-off: 12:30 GMT (13:30 local time)
- Venue: Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympique Annexe, Rabat
AFCON 2025: Schedule, results and standings of the Africa Cup of Nations
How to watch the game globally
The tournament’s broad distribution ensures fans won’t miss this crucial survival battle. Major providers include:
- Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport (English/Portuguese) and Canal+ Afrique (French).
- South Africa: SABC and the SABC+ app.
- Australia & NZ: beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
- UK: Channel 4 (Free-to-air) on 4Seven and the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel.
- USA & Canada: beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS en Español; streaming via Fubo and Fanatiz.
Team news
Benin head coach Gernot Rohr receives a massive boost with several key players returning from suspension. Captain Steve Mounié and the creative Junior Olaitan are both expected to return to the starting lineup, providing the offensive bite that was missing against the Leopards. Rohr has hinted that youngsters like Rodolfo Aloko have earned their place in the rotation, but the focus remains on defensive solidity led by Mohamed Tijani.
🏆 CAN Maroc 2025 🇧🇯🐆
Tous ensemble derrière nos Guépards pour écrire l’histoire à la CAN Maroc 2025#Febefoot #AllezLesGuépards #CANMaroc2025 pic.twitter.com/OAyDgLWNCj
— Fédération Béninoise de Football (FBF) (@fbfofficiel) December 18, 2025
Botswana’s tactician Morena Ramoreboli will likely prioritize defensive organization after conceding 17 shots on target in their opener. Goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko, who became an overnight sensation with a record-breaking 14 saves against Senegal, will again be the Zebras’ last line of defense. Up front, the drought for Kabelo Seakanyeng continues, putting immense pressure on Tumisang Orebonye to find Botswana’s first goal of the tournament.
Quest for History
While many focus on the giants of African football, this match is a fascinating study in perseverance. This is the first-ever competitive meeting between these two nations, and both are fighting against a weight of historical statistics:
- Winless Streak: Benin holds one of the most unusual records in AFCON history—they reached the quarter-finals in 2019 without winning a single match in regulation time. They are currently on a 15-match winless run at the finals.
- Survival Race: Botswana is looking to avoid a grim milestone. If they lose on Saturday, they will become only the second team in history (after Benin itself) to lose their first five matches at AFCON finals.
- Shot-Stopping Wall: Despite the 3-0 loss to Senegal, Botswana’s Goitseone Phoko currently holds the tournament record for the most saves in a single game since 2010.
With both teams fighting to avoid an early flight home, the “must-win” nature of the game is not lost on coach Morena Ramoreboli:
“We are here to leave a mark, not just to participate. We knew the Senegal game would be our hardest test, but against Benin, we have to show our true character. The goal is to perform, dominate where we can, and finally give our fans a result to celebrate.”
