The fortunes of Benin football have skyrocketed in the past five years and they are wallowing in a new-found respect from sides across the continent.
The Squirrels qualified for their first-ever major finals when they won a place at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and then repeated the feat with a place at the 2008 finals in Ghana.
Although they did not win a match at either event, they ran Nigeria close on two occasions and increased their reputation as a tricky side to beat.
The proliferation of players abroad has given the side greater experience and they are well coached by Frenchman Michel Dussuyer, who was once at the helm of Guinea and also an assistant to compatriot Henri Michel at Cote d’Ivoire.
Striker Stéphane Sessegnon from Paris St Germain is a key man in the side, as is Nigerian-born defender Damien Chrysostome of Metz and another player born in Nigeria, forward Razak Omotoyossi, who plays for Saudi Arabia side Al-Nassr.
With a population of just over 6-million, it is always going to difficult for Benin to have the depth in their squad to become giants of the African game, but they will take heart from the performance of their Under-20 side in reaching the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands, where they were pipped to a place in the second round on goals scored by Japan.
Cebio Soukou of Benin challenged by Mbaye Hamady Niang of Senegal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Keita Balde of Senegal fouled by Seidou Baraze of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Sadio Mane of Senegal challenged by Stephane Sessegnon of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Emmanuelle Imorou of Benin fouled by Papa Alioune Ndiaye of Senegal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Sadio Mane of Senegal challenged by Emmanuelle Imorou of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Sadio Mane of Senegal challenged by Cebio Soukou of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Lamine Gassama of Senegal (r) argues with Sessi Dalmeida of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Lamine Gassama of Senegal challenged by Cebio Soukou of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mickael Pote of Benin challenged by Kalidou Koulibaly of Senegal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Lamine Gassama of Senegal challenged by Cebio Soukou of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Jordan Souleymane Adeoti of Benin Idrissa Gana Gueye of Senegal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Henri Saivet of Senegal challenged by Moise Adilehou of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Steve Mounie of Benin challenged by Henri Saivet of Senegal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Cebio Soukou of Benin challenged by Cheikhou Kouyate of Senegal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
David Kiki of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mickael Pote of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Benin fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Benin fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Benin fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Benin team arrival during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Benin team arrival during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Benin dressing room during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Benin team arrival during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Benin bus during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Benin dressing room during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Benin dressing room during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Benin dressing room during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Benin dressing room during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Senegal dressing room during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Senegal dressing room during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Senegal dressing room during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals match between Senegal and Benin at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 10 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Michel Dussuyer, head coach of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Benin at 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 09 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Olivier Verdon of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Benin at 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 09 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Michel Dussuyer, head coach of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Benin at 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 09 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
General view during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Benin at 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 09 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Olivier Verdon of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Benin at 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 09 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Stephane Sessegnon celebrates during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 ©BackpagePix
Benin players celebrate in their dressing room after beating Morocco in a penalty shootout during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Benin players celebrate in their dressing room after beating Morocco in a penalty shootout during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Benin players celebrate in their dressing room after beating Morocco in a penalty shootout during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Stephane Sessegnon of Benin receives the Total Man of the Match award after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Youssef En-Nesyri scores goal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 ©BackpagePix
Seibou Mama of Benin celebrates scoring winning penalty during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 ©BackpagePix
Benin players run to celebrate after beating Morocco after a penalty shootout during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Benin players celebrate a goal scored by Moise Adilehou of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Stephane Sessegnon of Benin is challenged by Younes Belhanda of Morocco during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Jodel Dossou of Benin turns away from Nabil Dirar of Morocco during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Olivier Verdon of Benin gets the ball back to his keeper under pressure from Hakim Ziyach of Morocco during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Stephane Sessegnon of Benin is closed down by Youssef En-Nesyri of Morocco during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Cebio Soukou of Benin is challenged by Mbark Boussoufa of Morocco during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Emmanuelle Imorou of Benin is challenged by Nabil Dirar of Morocco during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Morocco players warm up before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Morocco players warm up before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Rodrigue Kossi of Benin warms up before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
General view of Morocco fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Morocco players warm up before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Benin Fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Morocco squad arrivals before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Morocco squad arrivals before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Benin squad arrivals before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
General view of Al Salam Stadium shortly before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
General view of Morocco dressing room and Mehdi Benatia boots shortly before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Benin squad arrivals before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
General view of Morocco dressing room shortly before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
General view of Morocco dressing room shortly before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
General view inside the Benin dressing before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
General view of Morocco dressing room shortly before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
General view of Benin dressing room shortly before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
General view inside the Morocco dressing before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
General view inside the Benin dressing before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Morocco and Benin at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Cebio Soukou (l) during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Benin training session in Cairo, Egypt on 04 July 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Sessi Dalmeida (r) during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Benin training session in Cairo, Egypt on 04 July 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Cebio Soukou (l) during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Benin training session in Cairo, Egypt on 04 July 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Rodrigue Fassinou (l) during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Benin training session in Cairo, Egypt on 04 July 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Sessi Dalmeida (c) during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Benin training session in Cairo, Egypt on 04 July 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Mickael Pote of Benin talks to media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Benin at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 04 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Michel Dussuyer, head coach of Benin talks to media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Benin at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 04 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Mickael Pote of Benin talks to media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Benin at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 04 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Michel Dussuyer, head coach of Benin talks to media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Benin at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 04 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Mickael Pote of Benin talks to media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Benin at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 04 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Desire Segbe (19) celebrates with Jodel Dossou of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Desire Segbe (r) celebrates with teammate Olivier Verdon of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting of Cameroon challenged by Seidou Baraze of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Steve Mounie of Benin clears ball from Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa of Cameroon during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Clinton Njie of Cameroon challenged by Steve Mounie of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Stephane Sessegnon of Benin challenged by Arnaud Djoum of Cameroon during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Abdou Adenon of Benin clears ball from Stephane Bahoken of Cameroon during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
David Djigla of Benin challenged by Ambroise Oyongo of Cameroon during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
David Djigla of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Stephane Sessegnon of Benin challenged by Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa of Cameroon during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Stephane Sessegnon of Benin challenged by Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa of Cameroon during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Michael Ngadeu Ngadjui of Cameroon clears ball from Seibou Mama of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ngoran Collins Fai of Cameroon challenged by Jodel Dossou of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Pierre Kunde Malong of Cameroon challenged by Jordan Souleymane Adeoti of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Karl Toko Ekambi of Cameroon challenged by Abdou Adenon of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Steve Mounie of Benin challenged by Yaya Banana and Michael Ngadeu Ngadjui of Cameroon during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Karl Toko Ekambi of Cameroon challenged by Olivier Verdon of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Benin fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting of Cameroon challenged by Steve Mounie of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
David Kiki of Benin during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Benin and Cameroon at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Benin
COMMENTS
Sign in to comment