2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Group F preview

By Liam Bekker | Jun 21, 2019

An Egyptian youth holds a replica model of the Afican Cup of Nations trophy in one hand an a national flag in the other as he stands outside a shop selling trophies and medals and other sports memorabilia in the capital Cairo's downtown district on June 17, 2019. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo credit should read KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images) /

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Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez (R) is marked by Benin’s Jodel Dossou during the African Cup of Nations Group D Match between Algeria and Benin at the Mustapha Tchaker stadium in Blida on October 12, 2018. (Photo by RYAD KRAMDI / AFP) (Photo credit should read RYAD KRAMDI/AFP/Getty Images) /

Benin

Benin are making their fourth appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations and first at the competition since 2010. Ranked 88th in the world, they are unlikely to make a big impact in Egypt but could sneak into the knockout stages as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Qualification

Despite only scoring five goals in qualifying – less than one per game – Benin qualified comfortably from a qualification group that included Algeria, Gambia and Togo. The highlight of their qualification campaign came in October 2018 when a solitary goal from Sessi D’Almeida was enough to earn them a 1-0 win over the more-fancied Algeria.

That result followed a 2-0 reversal four days before at the hands of the Algerians and the Beninese lost again the following month to Gabon. Those defeats were ultimately of little consequence as Michel Dussuyer’s side qualified four points clear of the third-placed Gabonese.

The squad

Stephane Sessegnon will lead his nation at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. The 35-year is Benin’s all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player of all-time and is arguably the most recognizable player in the squad, having played for clubs such as PSG and West Brom. Sessegnon is one of seven players aged 30 or older in a squad that also includes 18-year old midfielder, Rodrigue Kossi.

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Key player: Steve Mounié

Huddersfield forward Steve Mounie is the star turn in this Benin side. Over the last decade, Sessegnon has been the player who has carried his nation’s hopes on his shoulders but the veteran midfielder now has a player he can pass that mantle on to.

Mounie, who has experience in Ligue 1 and the Premier League, is the most naturally gifted forward Benin have produced in recent years. He was the Squirrels’ leading goalscorer in qualifying and will have to channel his finishing prowess once again in order to help his nation reach the knockout stages.

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