Africa Cup of Nations 2025: Benin-Botswana, the likely lineups
Benin and Botswana meet on Saturday at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat (1:30 p.m.) for a challenge that is already worth an important slice of their Africa Cup of Nations journey. Both coming off a negative debut, the two national teams are looking for vital points to stay hooked on the qualification race in a Group D that allows no margin for error.
Benin arrives at the appointment after a narrow defeat against the Democratic Republic of Congo, a match in which the team coached by German Rohr showed encouraging signs but was punished by Bongonda’s goal. Momentum remains complicated: three consecutive knockouts in all competitions, no goals scored and eight goals conceded in recent outings. To avoid yet another elimination in the group stage, the Cheetahs must necessarily win against the most affordable opponent on paper in the group. Good news comes from the returned disqualifications: Mounié, Hountondji, Olaitan, Tijani and Dandjinou are back available and some of them will start.
Botswana, swept 3-0 by Senegal in the opener, on the other hand, comes in with the knowledge that they have to pull off a feat to stay in the race. South African coach Ramoreboli’s team held off the defending champions for more than 40 minutes before succumbing under the blows of Jackson and co. The numbers didn’t help: eight games without a win, and an attack that struggled to find alternatives to a Seakanyeng who had been dry for a year and a half. Nevertheless, goalkeeper Phoko, who made 14 saves in the first match, is a certainty.
Probable lineups
Benin (4-4-2): Dandjinou; Tijani, Verdon, Roche, Moumini; Ouorou, Dodo, Imourane, Kiki; Mounie, Olaitan. All. Rohr.
Botswana (4-1-4-1): Phoko; Johnson, Ditlhokwe, Gaolaolwe, Velaphi; Ditsele; Seakanyeng, Mohutsiwa, Cooper, Orebonye; Kebatho. All. Ramoreboli.
