A public holiday in Benin? By winning against Botswana (1-0) this Saturday in Rabat for the second day of the 2025 African Cup of Nations, the Cheetahs marked the history of their country. The players of German coach Gernot Rohr simply recorded the selection’s first victory in the competition, after their fifth participation.
Benin had nevertheless achieved the feat of reaching the quarter-finals of the 2019 African Cup of Nations… but without ever winning a single match. Led by former Paris Saint-Germain player Stéphane Sessègnon, the Beninese qualified for the final phase thanks to three draws in the group stage, before eliminating Egypt on penalties in the round of 16 and finally falling against Senegal on the outskirts of the last four.
A Lyonnais gives victory to Benin
This time, they finally won, against Botswana (1-0). Author of a fatal error for his team on the only goal in Benin’s defeat against the Democratic Republic of Congo during the first day on Tuesday (1-0), Yohan Roche largely made up for it and was elected man of the match.
The left back, born in Lyon and trained at Stade de Reims, gave his team the winning goal with a deflected shot after a nice one-two with former Brest player Steve Mounié on the left of the opposing area (28th). Benin then trembled on numerous occasions, right into added time without ever cracking against the Botswana offensives.
“It’s an immense source of pride,” rejoiced Yohan Roche at a press conference after the match. We knew we could make history, and we did it. This is something that particularly touches me, especially after the first match. My whole family was at the stadium. It really makes me happy to be able to score and offer this first victory to Benin. »
The Beninese will therefore have a final opportunity to qualify on the last day, in the event of a good result against Senegal, their tormentor of CAN 2019 (Tuesday, 8 p.m.). With zero points in two matches, Botswana is in a very bad position, but will still have one last ball to play, against the DRC at the same time.
