Benin finally managed to win a match at the Africa Cup of Nations, scraping past Botswana 1-0 in Group D at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. That’s right,Benin, a team with little to no AFCON pedigree, has suddenly become the talk of the tournament, and their fans are acting like they’ve already won the cup.

The stadium was a chaotic scene, with Benin supporters turning up the volume and the theatrics. Flags, drums, wild dancing,you name it, they did it. “Yes, it’s Africa! African game,” one group shouted, as if this single win had rewritten football history. The celebrations were over the top, but who can blame them? It’s not every day Benin gets to celebrate on this stage.

On the field, Benin’s players were clearly desperate to make headlines. They pushed hard from the start, and after finally scoring, they clung to their lead for dear life. Botswana, meanwhile, looked lost and uninspired, barely threatening Benin’s goal. The Cheetahs’ defense was solid, but let’s be honest,Botswana didn’t exactly put up much of a fight.

For Botswana, it was a disaster. Their fans were quick to point fingers at the team’s ultra-defensive tactics, which backfired spectacularly. “Let the boys play the way they want to play. But defensive play for me, no, no, no, I’m not happy,” one frustrated supporter complained. Still, a few diehards tried to stay positive, insisting there’s still hope. But after this performance, who’s buying it?

Benin’s win is being hailed as a “statement of intent,” but let’s not get carried away. This is a team that’s spent years in the shadows, and one lucky result doesn’t erase that history. Still, with the group stage heating up, Benin suddenly finds itself in the mix,at least for now.

Elsewhere, the drama continued. In Tangier, Senegal and DR Congo played out a tense draw, with Sadio Mané bailing out the champions at the last minute. Both teams are now neck and neck, setting up a nail-biting finish to the group.

Meanwhile, in Fez, Nigeria and Tunisia put on a show in Group C. Nigeria looked to be cruising after going up 3-0, but almost threw it away as Tunisia stormed back with two late goals. In the end, Nigeria barely held on for a 3-2 win, proving once again that in AFCON, anything can happen,and usually does.

Off the pitch, AFCON 2025 is turning Morocco’s cities into non-stop parties. Fans are flooding the streets, turning every matchday into a festival. The unity and excitement are undeniable, but let’s not forget: it’s all about the results.