Senegal defeats Benin 3-0 and sets up a clash with Egypt in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Senegal secured the top spot in Group D of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Morocco, after achieving a resounding and well-deserved 3-0 victory over Benin in the match held on Tuesday evening as part of the third and final round of the group stage.
Details of a night of brilliance for the Lions of Teranga
The Lions of Teranga dominated the match from the outset, with Abdoulaye Seck opening the scoring in the 38th minute, giving his team the lead before halftime. In the second half, Senegal continued their attacking pressure, with Habibou Mohamed Diallo adding a second goal in the 62nd minute, capitalizing on a decisive pass from Sadio Mane. Chérif Ndiaye then completed the scoring in the 90+7th minute with a successfully converted penalty.
The imprint of the stars of the Saudi Roshan League
The match saw a notable presence of Saudi Pro League stars in the Senegalese national team's starting lineup, reflecting the high level of skill these players bring to their national teams. Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahli) protected the net, while Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal) led the defense, and Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr) spearheaded the attack and orchestrated the play, directly contributing to the second goal.
Turning point and Koulibaly's expulsion
Despite the resounding victory, Senegal suffered a major blow with the sending off of their captain and Al-Hilal defender, Kalidou Koulibaly, in the 71st minute. The decision came after a VAR review, following a strong challenge on a Benin player just outside the penalty area. This dismissal will deprive Senegal of their defensive linchpin in the round of 16 match, presenting the coach with a tactical challenge to compensate for his absence.
Group D standings and the fate of the qualifiers
With this victory, Senegal took sole possession of first place in Group D with 7 points, ahead of DR Congo on goal difference, who finished second with the same number of points. Benin came in third with 3 points, while Botswana finished bottom of the group and were eliminated from the tournament without a single point.
A highly anticipated clash: Benin faces the Pharaohs
The group stage results produced a dramatic scenario for Benin, who qualified as one of the best third-placed teams. Fate has now pitted Benin against a formidable opponent in Egypt, the record holders for the most titles in the tournament, in the Round of 16 next Monday.
This encounter carries significant technical and psychological weight. While Egypt (the Pharaohs) seeks to reaffirm its continental dominance and advance towards the title, Benin will attempt to capitalize on their hard-fought qualification to pull off a major upset, relying on the fighting spirit they displayed in the group stage despite their recent loss to Senegal. This match represents a true test of both teams' ambitions in the knockout stages, where there is no room for error.
