Mozambique, Benin, Tanzania, and Botswana Looking for the First One At AFCON 2025
As the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco, four participating nations will step onto Africa’s biggest stage carrying an unwanted statistic. Mozambique, Benin, Tanzania and Botswana have all qualified for AFCON before — but none has ever won a single match at the finals.
In a tournament dominated by former champions and continental heavyweights, their stories sit on the margins of the title conversation. Yet they offer one of AFCON 2025’s most compelling subplots: nations not chasing silverware, but history.
While hosts Morocco open proceedings against Comoros in Rabat, these four teams begin the competition with a more basic objective — to finally turn qualification into a victory.
Mozambique: experience without reward
Mozambique’s return to AFCON marks their sixth appearance, but the numbers remain unforgiving. Across five previous tournaments, the Mambas have played 15 matches without a win, recording four draws and 11 defeats.
Their task in Morocco is formidable. Drawn into Group F alongside defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, five-time winners Cameroon, and Gabon, Mozambique face opponents with deep tournament pedigree.
Ending one of AFCON’s longest winless runs will require the Mambas to do something they have never managed before — beat elite opposition on the continent’s biggest stage.
Benin: familiar ground, familiar pressure
Benin’s AFCON history has been defined by narrow margins and near-misses. In four previous appearances, the Guépards have played 14 matches, drawing five and losing nine.
Once again, they enter the tournament as outsiders. Group D pairs them with reigning champions Senegal, DR Congo, and fellow winless side Botswana.
There is little margin for error, but the presence of another debutant-level campaigner in Botswana, and the inconsistency of DR Congo, may present Benin with their clearest opening yet to finally register a win.
Tanzania: opportunity within adversity
Tanzania return for their fourth AFCON appearance, still searching for a first finals victory after nine matches without a win (three draws, six defeats).
Placed in Group C with Nigeria, Tunisia, and Uganda, the Taifa Stars face a tough assignment. But amid the heavyweights lies opportunity.
The East African derby against Uganda offers Tanzania a realistic chance to break their long-standing AFCON drought — and transform experience into progress.
Botswana: back for redemption
Botswana’s AFCON history is brief and brutal. Their only previous appearance came in 2012, where the Zebras lost all three group matches.
Now back on the continental stage, Botswana return in Group D, facing Benin, Senegal and DR Congo.
Expectations are measured, but even a single victory would mark a defining moment in the nation’s football history — a breakthrough more than a result.
More than numbers
As AFCON 2025 gets underway in Rabat, Mozambique, Benin, Tanzania and Botswana arrive carrying more than tactical plans. They carry history — and the chance to finally rewrite it.
In a competition built on giants and glory, AFCON has always left room for firsts.
For these four nations, Morocco represents a rare opportunity: not to lift the trophy, but to ensure that this AFCON is remembered as the one where participation finally turned into victory.
