Senegal VS Botswana

Senegal are expected to line up in a familiar 4-2-3-1, a system that allows them to balance defensive solidity with explosive attacking transitions. While personnel may rotate later in the group, this opener is likely to feature a strong XI to establish control early. Mory Diaw is set to start in goal, protected by a back four built around the authority of captain Kalidou Koulibaly. He is expected to partner Moussa Niakhaté centrally, with Krépin Diatta and El Hadji Malick Diouf providing athleticism and width from full-back. Senegal’s defensive line is comfortable holding a high position, compressing the pitch and enabling sustained pressure. In midfield, experience anchors the system. Idrissa Gana Gueye and Pape Alassane Gueye form a double pivot designed to win second balls, recycle possession, and protect against counter-attacks. Their presence frees the attacking midfield trio to operate with minimal defensive burden. Further forward, Senegal’s attacking shape is fluid rather than rigid. Iliman Ndiaye is likely to drift between the lines, Ismaïla Sarr provides direct penetration from the right, while Sadio Mané, though no longer at his peak, remains a constant threat cutting inside from the left. Nicolas Jackson leads the line, tasked with stretching Botswana’s centre-backs and creating space rather than serving purely as a focal-point finisher.