Benin National Football Team Squad against Bafana Bafana: Benin has announced a 25-player squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Lesotho. Both matches are scheduled to be played at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Coach Gernot Rohr has chosen a squad with many international players, since 20 of the 25 players are foreigners. This includes representation from Ligue 1 and five players from France’s second division.
However, the team will miss the services of Tosin Aiyegun, a forward who plays in the French Premier League for the Lorient club. Aiyegun will be sidelined due to a thigh injury, which will prevent him from participating in the matches scheduled for Saturday, November 18 and Tuesday, November 21.
This squad announcement emphasizes the international reach of the Benin player squad and the challenges they face, especially in the absence of a key injured player. The upcoming World Cup qualifying matches will undoubtedly be an important test for Benin as they aim for positive results against South Africa and Lesotho.
Benin National Football Team Squad against Bafana Bafana
GOALKEEPERS:
Saturnin Allagbé (Dijon, France), Marcel Dandjinou (JDR Stars, South Africa), Serges Obassa (AS Cotonou)
DEFENDERS:
Rodrigue Fassinou (Loto Popo), Cédric Hountondji (Angers, France), David Kiki (Farul Constanta, Romania), Rachid Moumini (Ayéma), Tamimou Ouorou (Hatta, United Arab Emirates), Rabiou Sankamao (ASPAC), Mohamed Tijani (Yverdon Sport, Switzerland), Olivier Verdon (Ludogorets Razgrad, Bulgaria), Yohan Roche (Quevilly-Rouen Metropole, France)
MIDFIELDERS:
Mattéo Ahlinvi (FK Cukaricki, Serbia), Sessi d’Almeida (Pau, France), Dodo Dokou (Smouha, Egypt), Imourane Hassan (Future FC, Egypt), Rodrigue Kossi (Al Taraji, Saudi Arabia), Junior Olaitan (Troyes, France), Cèbio Soukou (Bandirmaspor, Turkey)
STRIKERS:
Jodel Dossou (Sochaux, France), Prince Ricardo Dossou (ASVO), Chabel Gomez (Samgurali, Géorgie), Andréas Hountondji (Rodez, France), Steve Mounié (Stade Brest, France), Steve-Waren Traoré (Lokomotiv Sofia, Bulgaria).
Benin will face South Africa in Durban in their first Group C match for both nations. They will later face Lesotho, who due to the lack of a world-class stadium, have chosen to host their home match against Benin in Durban.
Benin’s squad features notable players such as Steve Mounie, currently at Brest in the French top flight and former member of the English Premier League. Mounie’s experience and skill add an important dimension to Benin’s line-up.
In addition to foreign talent, Benin’s squad includes goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou of JDR Stars in the Motsepe Foundation championship. Additionally, five players from local Benin clubs have been named, demonstrating a mix of local and international talent.
The decision to play Lesotho’s home match in Durban shows the challenges some nations face in meeting international standards on their own turf. This option allows a level playing field and guarantees the smooth development of the World Cup qualifiers for all teams involved.
As the teams prepare to prove their worth in these crucial Group C matches, the matches in Durban will be crucial in determining each nation’s path in the World Cup qualification campaign.
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