Bayern Munich striker Nicolas Jackson grabbed a brace as Senegal eased to a 3-0 victory over Botswana in the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.
Jackson, on loan at the Bundesliga giants from Chelsea, struck either side of half-time in Tangier, with Cherif Ndiaye completing the scoring late on.
The victory took Senegal to the top of the table in Group D on goal difference, ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who beat Benin 1-0 in Rabat earlier.
It was a predictable outcome to the first match of the tournament for both teams as Senegal are 119 places above Botswana in the world rankings.
Senegal and DR Congo, both former champions, are expected to fill the top two places and qualify for the round of 16.
Benin and Botswana will view their clash on Saturday as a must-win affair, giving potential victors a chance to fill one of four places in the knockout stage reserved for third-placed teams.
Torrential rain greeted the teams as they walked on to the pitch at the 75,000-seat stadium, the biggest by capacity of the nine being used in Morocco for the tournament.
Senegal had a great chance to take the lead within three minutes in a one-on-one situation, but goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko blocked a Jackson shot.
Two-time African player of the year Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye and Jackson all came close to breaking the deadlock as the Teranga Lions dominated possession, while the Zebras defended in depth.
– Botswana waste chance –
While Senegal and former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was a mere spectator, Phoko was constantly in action, using his hands, feet and legs to keep the west Africans at bay.
But endless Senegalese pressure finally reaped a reward on 40 minutes when Germany-born Ismail Jakobs and Germany-based Jackson combined to put one of the title favourites ahead.
Jakobs cut in from the left and pulled the ball back to Jackson, who reacted instantly, using his left foot to steer the ball wide of Phoko and into the net.
Botswana, who qualified at the expense of shock 2026 World Cup qualifiers Cape Verde, finally threatened to score in added time at the end of the opening half.
But they failed to take advantage of a free kick just outside the area. A weak shot was deflected for a corner that was overhit and went out of play beyond the far post without being touched.
A flowing move from midfield with quick, crisp passing set up Jackson to double the lead after 58 minutes.
When the ball was worked to him in the box, the 24-year-old rounded Mosha Gaolaolwe and tapped home.
Cherif Ndiaye put the cherry on the cake for Senegal as he finished smartly at the end of another fine team move in the 90th minute.
Confident his team were cruising to victory, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw introduced 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye from European champions Paris Saint-Germain midway through the second half.
The teenage striker last month became the youngest Senegalese scorer in an international when he netted in a 8-0 rout of Kenya in an AFCON warm-up match.
By Agencies
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
