Egypt and Benin clashed today in a compelling Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 match at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir, Morocco. Egypt, the seven-time champions, are aiming for a record-extending eighth title, while Benin seeks only their second-ever quarterfinal appearance.
The match kicked off at 4pm GMT, which is 6pm in Egypt and 5pm in Benin and Morocco.
Egypt's Path to the Round of 16
Egypt secured their place in the knockout stage by topping Group B with 7 points. They started with a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe, followed by a 1-0 win against South Africa despite playing the second half with 10 men, and a goalless draw against Angola in a match where key players were rested.
Hossam Hassan, Egypt's coach, emphasized the importance of the match, stating, "Our goal is to get past Benin, a team we respect and appreciate...Their qualification for the Round of 16 was certainly not a coincidence".
Benin's Journey
Benin advanced to the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams from Group D. They had a tough group stage, but their 1-0 win against Botswana was enough to secure their spot. This victory was also their first-ever win at the AFCON finals.
Benin's coach, Gernot Rohr, acknowledged the difficulty of the challenge, saying, "We expect an extremely difficult match against a very high-level opponent".
Team News and Lineups
Mohamed Hany returned to Egypt's starting lineup after serving a one-match ban. Egypt's key attacking trio, Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, and Trezeguet, were all well-rested and started the match.
The confirmed lineups were:
- Egypt: Mohamed El Shenawy, Hany, Ibrahim, Rabia, Hamdi, Attia, Fathy, Adel, Salah, Marmoush, Trézéguet.
- Benin: Dandjinou, Ouorou, Verdon, Tijani, Roche, Dokou, D'Almeida, Hassane, Aloko, Tosin, Olaïtan.
Match Preview
Egypt entered the match as strong favorites, boasting a superior squad and a wealth of experience. However, Benin hoped to replicate their 2019 performance, where they reached the quarter-finals after stunning Morocco in the last 16.
Mohamed Salah remained the focal point of Egypt's attack, with his pace and finishing ability posing a significant threat. Benin relied on their key attackers, Steve Mounié and Junior Olaitan, to cause an upset.
Historical Context
Egypt and Benin have met four times previously, with Egypt winning three and drawing one. Their last encounter at the AFCON finals was in 2010, where Egypt won 2-0.
Where to Watch
In the UK, the match was broadcast on 4Seven, with live streaming available on the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel and the Channel 4 website. In the US, beIN Sports carried the game.
The winner of this match will advance to the quarter-finals.
