Benin vs Botswana Prediction & Betting Tips (27 December)

Beaten by the DRC during the first day 1-0, Benin has no other choice than to win today to still hope for qualification for the round of 16. We are talking about a selection which almost reached the World Cup play-offs but was beaten by Nigeria on the final day of the qualifiers 4-0. Before this failure, Benin had defeated Rwanda 0-1, Lesotho 4-0 and Zimbabwe 1-0. The Cheetahs have only passed the group stages once in their African Cup of Nations history, that was in 2019. Botswana was probably the weakest nation in this J1 in this CAN.

Beaten quite logically by Senegal 3-0, Botswana had already been beaten by Tunisia in a friendly 2-1. During the World Cup qualifiers, Botswana achieved just 10 points, finishing fifth in their group and out of reach of the qualifying seats. In all competitions, Botswana has not won in 6 matches for a record of 5 defeats. 

Within this Benin selection, four players were suspended during the first day and will likely be on the match sheet today, starting with Dandjinou, Tijani, Olaitan and Mounié. In terms of absences, the coach was unable to call up Felipe Santos (Araz) and offensive asset Andréas Hountondji (St. Pauli, 19 selections, 3 goals), injured. Central defender Cédric Hountondji (32 sel) is also absent from the group, suffering a serious injury in November. German coach Gernot Rohr can, however, count on his flagship goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbé (45 sels), central defender Tijani (22 sels, Yverdon), Olaitan (36 caps, ex-Grenoble) a notch higher and the former Brest striker and captain Mounié (22 goals in 66 caps). Aside from Mounié, Lorient's Tosin, author of 4 goals in 21 caps, started as a starter against the DRC, along with Jodel Dossou (73 selections, 9 goals), Dodo (Leixoes) and young winger Rodolfo Aloko (18 years old).

Still among those summoned, midfielder D'Almeida (played by Valenciennes) and central defender Verdon (ex-Bordeaux, Sochaux) will be on the match sheet. This selection from Botswana is quite weak on paper with a good majority of players playing in the local teams. Against Senegal, the man of the match on the Botswana side was none other than the goalkeeper, Phoko (35 caps), author of a number of saves during the match. Captain Ditlhokwe (39 sel) is part of the team with midfielder Mohutsiwa (28 sel), Orebonye (57 sel, 6 goals) and striker Seakanyeng (70 sel, 10 goals) playing at MAS de Fez (Moroccan D1). However, coach Morena Ramoreboli did not retain Mangolo (left side) and winger Setsile (3 goals in 33 games) who has played 5 of the last 6 matches with the selection. 

• Summary: Benin is going head to head with Botswana starting on 27 Dec 2025 at 12:30 UTC at Stade Olympique Annexe Complexe Sportif Prince Abdellah stadium, Rabat city, Morocco. The match is a part of the Africa Cup of Nations, Group D .
• Benin Feedinco Rating: 6.68
• Botswana Feedinco Rating: 6.66