History was written in the stars on Saturday, December 27, 2025, as Benin finally broke their long-standing "AFCON jinx." In their 16th match across five tournament appearances, the Cheetahs secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Botswana at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, Morocco.
For the first time since their tournament debut 22 years ago, Benin can celebrate a victory in normal time, reigniting their dreams of a knockout spot in Group D.
The Breakthrough: Yohan Roche the History Maker
In a match defined by high tension and tactical discipline, the decisive moment arrived in the 28th minute.
The Goal: Defender Yohan Roche played a slick one-two with returning captain Steve Mounié on the edge of the area. Roche found a pocket of space and rifled a right-footed effort that took a slight deflection, looping over Botswana’s goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko into the roof of the net. ⚽️🇧🇯
The Atmosphere: The stadium erupted as the Benin bench poured onto the pitch to celebrate a goal that felt like decades in the making.
The Woodwork Scare: Botswana didn't roll over. Just minutes after the goal, Mothusi Johnson unleashed a thunderous left-footed free-kick that crashed off the crossbar, narrowly missing what would have been a spectacular equalizer.
Ending the 15-Game Drought
Until yesterday, Benin held one of the most unusual records in African football. Despite reaching the quarter-finals in 2019 (where they famously eliminated Morocco on penalties), they had never won a game in normal time.
Coach Gernot Rohr: "This is not just a win; it is a weight off the shoulders of an entire nation. We have shown that Benin can win on the big stage. Now, we go to face Senegal with our heads held high."
A Milestone for Officiating
The match also featured a historic moment for African refereeing. Shamirah Nabadda became the first Ugandan center referee to officiate an AFCON finals match since 2010. Recently named CAF’s Best Female Referee of 2025, Nabadda was praised for her composure in handling the high-stakes encounter.
The Verdict: The "Cheetahs" have finally caught their prey. This win transforms Benin from tournament observers into serious contenders. Their final group game against Senegal on Tuesday will now be one of the most anticipated matches of the round.