'Put respect on his name!' – Nicolas Jackson backed for AFCON Golden Boot after scoring brace in Senegal's opening win over Botswana

Senegal forward Nicolas Jackson is being backed to win the Golden Boot award at AFCON 2025 after kicking off his campaign with a brace in a 3-0 win over Botswana in Group D on Tuesday. The Chelsea forward, who is currently on loan at Bayern Munich, was the star of the show as the Lions of Teranga made a victorious start to the tournament in Morocco.

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  Jackson at the double for Senegal

  Jackson opened the scoring five minutes before half-time when he converted a low cross from Ismail Jakobs to break the deadlock. His second arrived just before the hour mark from close range after good work from Ismaila Sarr. Senegal then wrapped up a comfortable victory when Cherif Ndiaye finished off Botswana. Yet it could have been even better for Jackson. He had a glorious chance to bag a hat-trick with just 15 minutes of the contest remaining but managed to blaze over a good chance when well-placed. While Jackson may not have taken home the match ball, he did walk off with the Man of the Match award for his performance.

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  Jackson backed for AFCON Golden Boot

  Jackson's goals mean some fans are already backing the Senegal attacker to finish the tournament as top scorer.

  @todocampista8 posted: "We’re leaving this tournament as the top goal scorer, put respect on NICOLAS JACKSON’S NAME," while @lyle_gold added: "Watching Nicolas Jackson in flow state is a spiritual experience."

  The Senegal star now has eight goal contributions in his last five starts for Senegal and is part of an exciting attacking quartet alongside Sadio Mane, Illiman Ndiaye and Sarr. Senegal headed into the tournament as one of the favourites for victory, and their win over Botswana shows they may take some stopping this year.

• Senegal star happy with double

  Jackson spoke to the media after the game. He said: "Very happy to win the man of the match. Hopefully many more to come but right now that's not important. We just try to focus for the next game, and prepare ourselves, we have three days for the next game. We are very happy we won and now we move on to the next one. I feel like now I'm grown, it's different from before. I'm happy I scored, but after I missed that one chance I just try to forget and move to the next chance because I know I will have another one. I'm happy I scored two, but it's never enough. I just forget this game and try to focus on the next one."

• 'We could have scored more' – Senegal manager's verdict

  Senegal boss Pape Thiaw also happy with victory but felt his team could have won by a bigger maring. He told reporters: "What I take away from this match is the seriousness of the team. The players followed the instructions and got the job done. The first match of this competition was crucial, and it was essential to start well. These boys wanted this win and fought hard to get it, credit to them. We faced a very strong team, with a low and compact block. We could have scored more, but above all, what stands out is my team's commitment and discipline."