Benin to play Zambia in Porto Novo

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Oct 12, 2019. 13:00

Benin are playing Sunday’s friendly international against Zambia in Porto Novo because they will be at the same venue next month in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and want to have a run out there before.

The Stade Charles de Gaulle will host Benin’s group L qualifier at home to Sierra Leone on Tuesday, November 19 in a move away from their usual home in the capital Cotonou.

“We decided to play this friendly match in Porto Novo to familiarize ourselves with the facilities of the Stade Charles de Gaulle before we play of Sierra Leone next month,” coach Michel Dussuyer told a press conference on the eve of the game

The match against Sierra Leone will be their second in the 2021 qualifiers.

Benin first play away at Nigeria on November 15 and it was for that reason that they invited Zambia at short notice to play the friendly.

“For preparation, we needed an opponent who has a game style similar to that of our next opponents,” explained the French-born coach.

“I had therefore proposed Guinea-Bissau because of the calibre of the performance and the quality of their play, which is close to both opponents. But, because of the Guinea Bissau federation dithered about confirming the game, a late choice was made to invite Zambia who are also a good team,” Dussyer added.