AFCON
Rohrs’ biggest test as Benin hold champions Senegal in CAF AFCON qualifier
Benin managed to hold reigning African champions, Senegal, to a 1-1 draw in a highly anticipated clash at the Stade de l’Amitié in Cotonou in their CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 qualifier on Saturday night.
It was a big test for Gernot Rohr, the former Nigeria manager now handling Benin.
A revamped Teranga Lions took to the pitch with Nicolas Jackson, Abdoulaye Seck, and Seny Dieng in the starting line-up but they were held in check by Cheetahs.
Defender Abdoulaye Seck put the visitors, who had all all their matches in the group prior Saturday’s match, into the lead before Abdoul Rachid Moumini piledriver restored parity.
In the absence of Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mané donned the captain’s armband, while Koulibaly provided support from the substitutes’ bench.
On the other side, Benin sought to secure victory to bolster their qualification hopes under the guidance of coach Gernot Rohr.
Having already secured their place in the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal displayed their determination from the 4th minute, as ackson’s powerful strike narrowly missed the target.
The Teranga Lions unleashed a series of offensive assaults, testing the resilience of the Benin defense, only to be denied by the upright or the outstanding goalkeeping skills of Saturnin Allagbe, the Cheetahs’ goalkeeper.
It was in the 44th minute that Senegal broke the deadlock. Sadio Mané’s perfectly placed cross found Jackson, whose header was met with an overzealous challenge by Abdoulaye Seck. The defender made no mistake, finding the back of the net and propelling Senegal into the lead.
However, the second half witnessed a shift in momentum as the Senegalese gradually lost their grip on the match, allowing Benin to capitalize on the situation.
In the 78th minute, Abdoul Rachid Moumini unleashed a thunderous strike that soared into the top corner of the net, leaving Seny Dieng, the Senegal goalkeeper, helpless.
Benin’s equalizer not only secured them a valuable point but also marked a notable achievement, as no team had managed to snatch points from the African champions in this group of qualifiers.
With the final matchday on the horizon, Benin’s qualification hopes now rest on their performance against Mozambique at the Estádio da Machava.
Post-Match Reactions:
“Both teams displayed exceptional football. One team showcased the qualities of the reigning African champion, while the other, our Benin team, demonstrated character by responding to Senegal’s challenge. We grew stronger throughout the match; although we were dominated in the first half, we managed to break free and impose our game in the second half. I was truly impressed by the fighting spirit of my team, and we must continue in this manner.” – Gernot Rohr, Benin coach.
“Compared to our training sessions, I witnessed some intriguing developments tonight. I am extremely satisfied with the performance that my team displayed. It was a well-contested match, although we didn’t emerge as victors. Our objective was to win all our matches in this qualifying campaign, but this time, a magnificent goal from the opposition prevented us from achieving that. I must admit, that goal took me by surprise; it happened in the blink of an eye.” – Aliou Cissé, Senegal coach.
-Cafonline
Guinea’s protest against the qualification of Tanzania for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has taken a regional dimension. Guinea, from West Africa, got eliminated by East Africa’s Tanzania after their last match ended in a 1-0 defeat for the West African team.
In filing a protest against the alleged fielding of an ineligible player by Tanzania, Guinea also alleged complicity by the match commissioner who is from Kenya which is also in East Africa.
In the protest filed, Guinea claimed that Tanzania brought on a player whose jersey number was not on the official team sheet.
The match sheet
The player wore jersey number 26 but no player was attached to that number in the official team sheet.
According to Guinea’s submission, this is a clear contravention of the rules. The Guinea FA therefore wants CAF to award them the game.
It was further claimed that an attempt to statutorily route the protest through the match commissioner was rebuffed.
At the centre of the controversy is the match commissioner, Francis Oliele of Kenya.
Guinea termed Oliele’s behaviour ‘inexplicable’ as he did not allow them to file complaints at the end of the game.
“He went so far as to ask Guinean officials to go to CAF instead and not to him,” reads a part of Guinea’s appeal. The Michel Dussuyer-coached side is also concerned about why the commissioner and security officer were chosen from Kenya country, which is in the same Zonal Union.
The Guinean Football Federation have lodged a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Thursday, alleging Tanzania fielded an ineligible player during their recent 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
Guinea, who were edged out 1-0 by Tanzania in the final Group H match on Tuesday, failed to qualify for the continental tournament after finishing third with nibe points.
Tanzania secured second place in the group with ten points, two off leaders DR Congo.
Guinea claim that Tanzania fielded a player wearing jersey number 26, who entered the pitch in the 73rd minute, despite the number not being listed in the official CAF squad submission.
Moreover, the player’s jersey reportedly lacked a visible name, making it impossible to verify his identity.
Guinea cited Article 50 of CAF regulations, which mandates strict compliance with player registration, including matching jersey numbers and proper identification.
The federation argue that such violations could undermine the competition’s integrity by allowing suspended or unqualified players to participate.
The Guinean Football Federation are demanding that CAF declare them winners of the game and to reach the 2025 Nations Cup at the expense of Tanzania.
CAF have yet to respond to the complaint.
-Ahram
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
A Libyan news outlet, Libya Akhbar has insinuated that the Super Eagles of Nigeria deliberately lost their home match to Rwanda on Monday to shut the Africa Cup of Nations gate at Libya.
The Mediterranean Knights of Libya last qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012 and had a controversy-ridden confrontation with the Super Eagles in the match days 3 and 4 of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
“The question of Nigeria’s defeat to Rwanda remains hanging in people’s minds: Was there an intention to exclude Libya from the competition?
“The answer may remain ambiguous, but what is certain is that Libyan football needs radical reforms, whether in technical planning or crisis management football needs radical reforms, whether in technical planning or crisis management.”
According to the publication, the Nigerian team deliberately lowered its strength to ensure the non-qualification of Libya even if the team succeeded in beating the Benin Republic.
Libya had hoped to beat Benin Republic to amass a seven point haul. “But their dreams were dashed by a solid defensive wall from Benin, who knew how to snatch a valuable point that would have secured their ticket to Morocco.
“On the other side of the group, Nigeria’s 2-1 defeat to Rwanda in the Green (Super) Eagles’ home ground added more controversy, especially since the result raised doubts about Nigeria’s intentions in this encounter.
“The match between Nigeria and Rwanda was a shock to the Libyan fans.
“The fans expected a comfortable win for Nigeria, which would have kept Libya’s hopes alive if they defeated Benin. However, the scenario was contrary to expectations. Nigeria’s one-goal lead turned into a two-goal loss, as if the Green Eagles had abandoned their competitive spirit.
“The scene raised many questions in sports circles: Did Nigeria deliberately lose to eliminate Libya?”
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