Benin vs Senegal: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | AFCON 2025

On: December 27, 2025 10:52 PM

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Benin vs Senegal — Match Preview

A true David vs. Goliath clash takes place at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier on Sunday, 28 December 2025. Defending champions and tournament favorites Senegal have started their campaign in ominous form, brushing aside Botswana 3–0 to top the group. Benin, nicknamed “Les Guépards” (The Cheetahs), are in a precarious position after a narrow 0–1 defeat to DR Congo in their opener. With zero goals scored in their last three matches across all competitions, Benin faces a mountainous task against a Senegalese side that has scored 11 goals in their last two victories.

Benin vs Senegal — Match Info

Competition: Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (Group Stage – Matchday 2)
Venue: Stade Ibn Batouta, Tangier (Capacity: 68,000)
Date: Sunday, 28 December 2025
Kickoff: 20:00 GMT | 21:00 WAT | 16:00 ET
Referee: TBC (CAF Appointment)

Benin vs Senegal — Match Stakes

Benin (3rd — 0 pts):

Win → A historic shock; moves to 3 pts and blows the group wide open.
Draw → A massive result; keeps survival hopes alive going into the final matchday.
Loss → Likely elimination staring them in the face; 0 points from 2 games would require a miracle in the final match.

Senegal (1st — 3 pts):

Win → Moves to 6 pts; virtually guarantees qualification to the Round of 16 as group winners.
Draw → Keeps them top; maintains unbeaten momentum.
Loss → A stunning upset; drags them back into the qualification dogfight.

Benin vs Senegal — Team News

Benin:

Mounié S. — Available (Captain & Main Target Man)
Dossou J. — Available (Creative Winger)
Hountondji C. — Questionable (Knock vs DRC)
Imorou D. — Out (Inactive)
Tactical Shift: Gernot Rohr likely to switch to a back five to contain Senegal’s attack.

Senegal:

Mané S. — Available (Talisman)
Jackson N. — Available (In red-hot form)
Mendy E. — Available (Starting GK)
Koulibaly K. — Available (Captain)
Rotation: Aliou Cissé might rotate slightly given the comfortable position, but will want to seal qualification early.

Benin vs Senegal — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

Benin

23/12 — 0–1 vs DR Congo (AFCON)
18/11 — 0–3 vs Burkina Faso (Friendly)
14/10 — 0–4 vs Nigeria (WC Qualifier)
10/10 — 1–0 vs Rwanda (WC Qualifier)
10/09 — 4–0 vs Lesotho (WC Qualifier)

Senegal

23/12 — 3–0 vs Botswana (AFCON)
18/11 — 8–0 vs Kenya (Friendly)
15/11 — 0–2 vs Brazil (Friendly)
15/10 — 4–0 vs Mauritania (WC Qualifier)
10/10 — 5–0 vs South Sudan (WC Qualifier)

Benin vs Senegal — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)

27/03/2024 — Senegal 1–0 Benin (Friendly)
18/06/2023 — Benin 1–1 Senegal (AFCON Q)
05/06/2022 — Senegal 3–1 Benin (AFCON Q)
04/10/2019 — Senegal 1–0 Benin (WAFU)
10/07/2019 — Senegal 1–0 Benin (AFCON QF)

Benin vs Senegal — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

Benin (5-4-1)

Allagbe; Moumini, Hountondji, Adenon, Tijani, Kiki; Dossou, D’Almeida, Ahlinvi, Olaitan; Mounié

Senegal (4-3-3)

Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Jakobs; P. Sarr, Gueye, Camara; I. Sarr, Jackson, Mané

Benin vs Senegal — Impact Bench

Benin: Aiyegun (Speed on break), Sessignon (Experience)

Senegal: Ndiaye (Creative spark), Dia (Goal threat)

Benin vs Senegal — Tactical Analysis

Benin

Benin’s recent form is alarming—they have conceded 8 goals in their last 3 games while scoring zero. Against Senegal, they cannot afford to be open. They will park the bus, looking to frustrate Senegal with a low block and hit long balls to Steve Mounié. Their only hope lies in set-pieces or a moment of complacency from the Lions.

Senegal

The Lions of Teranga are purring. With 11 goals in their last two wins (excluding the Brazil friendly), their attack is lethal. Nicolas Jackson provides a focal point, allowing Sadio Mané to roam free. They will dominate possession (likely 65%+) and look to overload Benin’s flanks. The only danger is overconfidence; Benin did hold them to a 1–1 draw in 2023.

Benin vs Senegal — Key Battles

Mounié vs Koulibaly — Aerial battle of the titans.
Dossou vs Jakobs — Benin’s best dribbler vs Senegal’s athletic fullback.
Mané vs Moumini — A mismatch on paper; the Benin defender needs help.
Allagbe vs Jackson — Goalkeeper needs the game of his life.

Benin vs Senegal — Spotlight Players

Benin — Steve Mounié

The captain cuts a lonely figure up front recently. If Benin are to score their first goal of the tournament, it will likely come from his head.

Senegal — Nicolas Jackson

The Chelsea striker is evolving into a complete forward for his country. His movement creates space for Mané and Sarr, and his finishing has been clinical in the qualifiers.

Benin vs Senegal — Prediction

Benin 0–2 Senegal

Benin are struggling for goals and confidence, while Senegal look like potential champions. The gulf in class is simply too wide. Expect Senegal to control the game from start to finish, breaking down the Benin resistance in the second half if not sooner.