CASABLANCA-(MaraviPost)-Benin breathed new life into their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 campaign after claiming their first three points with a narrow 1–0 victory over Botswana in a closely contested Group D encounter.

Coming into the match under pressure following an opening defeat, the Cheetahs knew a positive result was crucial to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.

Benin showed greater urgency from the start, pressing high and moving the ball quickly as they looked to unsettle a disciplined Botswana side.

The breakthrough arrived in the 28th minute when Yohan Roche struck the decisive goal, calmly finishing inside the box to put Benin ahead.

Roche’s goal gave Benin confidence, allowing them to control the tempo for the remainder of the first half and head into the break with a deserved lead.

Botswana responded after halftime by pushing forward in search of an equaliser, increasing the intensity and committing more players into attack.

Despite Botswana’s improved performance, Benin’s defence remained compact and organised, frustrating their opponents and limiting clear scoring opportunities.

As the match entered its closing stages, Botswana applied late pressure but Benin showed composure, discipline and tight security at the back to protect their narrow advantage.

The final whistle confirmed a vital win for Benin, marking their first victory and first three points of the AFCON 2025 tournament.

The Maravi Post