The Cheetahs are ready to roar. Returning to the CAN after two missed editions, Benin intends to resume the great adventure of 2019. In Egypt, the West African nation reached the quarter-finals, the best result in its history. Narrowly beaten by Senegal (1-0), the partners of goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbé, one of the rare survivors of this surprising journey, created a surprise by eliminating Morocco (1-1 + 1-4 tab).
Qualified at the last minute thanks to a goal difference favorable to Rwanda during the elimination phase, Gernot Rohr’s men inherited a tough field, since they will challenge Senegal, DR Congo and Botswana. Is the feat possible?
The calendar
The list of selected players
Guardians : Marcel Dandjinou (Kruger United/AFS), Saturnin Allagbé (FC Chauray/France), Serge Obassa (Remo Stars/NIG).
Defenders: Attachic Samadou (Smouha SC/EGY), Charlemagne Anggnitode (AC Oulu/FIN), Olivier Verdon (Coton FC/BEN), Mohamed Tijani (SUI (SUI) (FK Sumgayit/AZE), Taminou Ouorou (Sobepap FC/BEN), David Kiki (FCSB/RAU).
Midfielders: Ahlinvi (NK Olympics/SLO), Dodo Dodoes (Leixoes/POR), Imourane Hassane (Grasshopper Zurich/SUI), Cossi Rodrigue (HUS Agadir/MAR), Sessi of Almy (Netfçi PFK/AZE).
Attackers: Adam Akimey (Helsingborgs IF/SUE), Olatoundji Tessilimi (SJK Seinajoki/FIN), Rodolfo Aloko (NK Kustosija/CRO), Junior Olaïtan (Göztepe/TUR), Steve Mounié (Alanyaspor/TUR), Aiyegun Tosin (Lorient/FRA), Jodel Dossou (Le Pays du Valois/FRA), Romaric Amoussou (ASEC Mimosas (CIV), Rachidou Razack (NK Kustosija/CRO).
The player to watch: Dodo Dokou
Transferred this summer from the Egyptian club Smouha to Leixoes, in the Portuguese second division, the midfielder has become the master player of the Beninese selection. Selected for the first time in 2023, at just 18 years old, Gernot Rohr’s strongman has played 22 matches since his debut with great fanfare. He notably started during all the qualifying matches for this African Cup of Nations. He should once again be one of the main men of the selection this winter.
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