Benin vs Botswana prediction: AFRICA: Africa Cup of Nations betting tips on match 2025-12-26 12:30.
[p]After Benin and Botswana were both defeated in their opening games at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), an early elimination could be on the cards if either side loses again here.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Benin’s return to AFCON after a six-year absence did not go well as they were beaten 1-0 by D.R. Congo in their opening group game. That result means the Cheetahs have still never won a match within regulation time at this tournament (D5, L10), even despite reaching the quarter-finals in 2019 after drawing their first four matches. Gernot Rohr’s men will therefore likely have to play some of their best football ever if they are to progress this time around, but a run of three defeats in a row without scoring leaves them short of form and perhaps confidence. Things haven’t been great for an extended period now for Benin, with the country’s last 14 internationals yielding just three victories (D4, L7).[/p]
[p]Botswana made a similarly inauspicious start to the tournament as they were beaten 3-0 by Senegal on Tuesday, failing to land a single shot on target in the process. That extended a miserable run of form to five defeats in six internationals (D1) since July, while a hefty 13 goals conceded during that period points to the problem. The Zebras are another team who have previously struggled on this stage, with their only previous AFCON appearance ending with three successive losses in 2012. The pressure on Morena Ramoreboli to turn things around continues to build as his side have managed just one victory in formal competition this year (D3, L5).[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]This will be the first time these two teams have come face-to-face.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]None of Benin’s last eight internationals have seen both teams score.[/p]
[p]Benin scored in only two of their last eight AFCON matches.[/p]
[p]The 17 shots on target Botswana conceded against Senegal set a new record in an AFCON fixture (since such record-keeping began in 2010).[/p]
[p]Botswana did not register a second-half goal in any of their last five matches in formal competition.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Jodel Dossou is a candidate to get Benin off to the right start as four of his last seven strikes for the country have served as the first of the game. Despite conceding three goals, Botswana goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko made a staggering 14 saves during the defeat to Senegal, which saw him earn the highest Flashscore player rating of the match.[/p]
[p]Benin pair Marcel Dandjinou and Junior Olaitan missed their defeat to D.R. Congo. Botswana do not appear to have any fresh injuries.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Given both teams struggle in front of goal, under 2.5 goals might prove profitable. [/p]
[p][i]Author: Matt Jones[/i][/p]