Group D: Can Nicolas Jackson lead Senegal to glory?
December 18, 2025
|The Mercury
SENEGAL, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin and Botswana clash in a mix of giants and underdogs at Afcon 2025.
SENEGAL striker Nicolas Jackson is expected to shine at Afcon 2025, bringing pace, power and finishing ability to the Lions of Teranga's star-studded attack.
(BackpagePix)
Senegal head into the tournament as favourites, DRC bring a talented squad to challenge, while Benin and Botswana will be looking to cause surprises and make their mark on the continental stage.
CAF Ranking: 2nd
Coach: Pape Thiaw
Player to watch: Nicolas Jackson
Best performance: Champions 2021
Tournament prediction: Semifinals
The Lions of Teranga are hot favourites to win a second title, going into the tournament with an impressive world record run of 22 unbeaten matches.
This could well be Sadio Mané’s swansong on the biggest continental stage, and the former Liverpool superstar would love nothing more than to bow out in glory.
هذه القصة من طبعة December 18, 2025 من The Mercury.
اشترك في Magzter GOLD للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة، وأكثر من 9000 مجلة وصحيفة.
هل أنت مشترك بالفعل؟ تسجيل الدخول
المزيد من القصص من The Mercury
The Mercury
Mantashe laments passive society that depends on the State for service delivery
THE relationship between government and society in South Africa is flawed and has led to the creation of a passive society where the public \"sits in the sun\" and waits for the government to deliver services.
2 mins
January 05, 2026
The Mercury
Call for matches to be moved outside India
BANGLADESH will request their matches at next month’s T20 World Cup be played in Sri Lanka, after India forced a Bangladeshi player to quit the Indian Premier League.
2 mins
January 05, 2026
The Mercury
Flick praise for ‘unbelievable’ Barca goalie Garcia
DANI Olmo and Robert Lewandowski’s late strikes helped Barcelona snatch a 2-0 win at Espanyol on Saturday to move seven points clear at the top of La Liga, with coach Hansi Flick left thanking his goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
2 mins
January 05, 2026
The Mercury
Serial rape suspect nabbed after 20-year crime spree
THE South African Police Service has arrested a 55-year-old man believed to be responsible for a series of rapes and robberies committed over more than two decades across Welkom, Thabong and Bloemfontein.
1 mins
January 05, 2026
The Mercury
Scrutinise the intellectuals probing Israel’s actions
ON DECEMBER 26, 2025, the Middle East Eye published an article on the document issued by Hamas, Israel to allow an impartial investigation into October 7.
3 mins
January 05, 2026
The Mercury
KZN police make strides against crime, arrest stats show
AS THE festive season comes to a close in KwaZulu-Natal, Deputy Police Commissioner Major General Phumelele Makoba unveiled a comprehensive report detailing the efforts of law enforcement in tackling crime during the fourth quarter of last year.
2 mins
January 05, 2026
The Mercury
The clean-girl era is dead and maximalism is taking over in 2026, according to Pinterest
IF YOU have been living in slick buns, barely-there makeup and neutral everything, consider this your official heads-up.
2 mins
January 05, 2026
The Mercury
Cunha rescues Man Utd in draw with rivals Leeds
MATHEUS Cunha saved Manchester United from a rare defeat against fierce rivals Leeds as the Brazilian’s equaliser salvaged a 1-1 draw at Elland Road yesterday.
2 mins
January 05, 2026
The Mercury
Ackermann rues fine margins after Bulls fall short
BULLS coach Johan Ackermann admitted the pain was still raw after his side's narrow 13-8 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday, a match that once again slipped away despite a brave effort.
2 mins
January 05, 2026
The Mercury
Dramatic penalty shootout sees Mali beat Tunisia
PAPE Gueye scored twice as much-fancied Senegal came from behind to beat Sudan 3-1 on Saturday and seal a place in the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations, while 10-man Mali edged Tunisia in a dramatic penalty shootout.
3 mins
January 05, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size