The major events of the Confederation of African Football are occasions to reunite former footballing glories. While every country works to position former internationals at these sporting events, the Benin public is biting its finger at Benin's absence from these gatherings of the continent's celebrities in the last decade.
CAF invites former African footballers to take part in draws, general assemblies and the launch or closing of major events. The most recent of these was the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2024, where a host of celebrities took to the stadiums of Côte d'Ivoire. Benin, which did not qualify for the competition, was not represented among CAF's official guests by the former international profile. In Benin, the public was bitterly disappointed. "At the last AFCON, where CAF invited African legends to be present in the stands, we didn't see any Beninese. It's a shame," laments Bour-Han.
A rather logical absence
In the history of Beninese soccer, the greatest result achieved would be qualification for the last 16 of the AFCON Egypt 2019.From the Expédit Dossou-Gbete generation through the Oumar Tchomogo era to that of Stéphane Sessegnon, Benin has produced a host of great players, albeit with varying degrees of success on the international stage. Benin and its former players have not really left their mark on African soccer. It's a logical absence, according to Benin international Michael Poté.
"It's a pity, yes and no, because at the same time there's a certain logic to be respected in order to be invited to these events. For the moment, we haven't had any players who have made enough of a mark on history," maintains the former Clermont soccer and APOEL Nicosia player. He continues. "There's no particular person responsible.These things happen naturally. And it's not necessarily because of the size of the country.Togo, for example, with Emmanuel Adebayor representing this nation, which is logical given his career and what he represents on the African continent.
Journalist Léonard Sonehekpon is of the same opinion, believing that former Benin internationals are kings at home, but not internationally. He explains: "We haven't yet proved anything on the African and world soccer scene.When we talk about soccer in Benin, which names stand out for their performances in Africa or around the world and are no longer active? What's the point of Caf calling on people who haven't really made an indelible impact on the history of their country, let alone their club? Not one iota. The people we're used to seeing at various Caf events are well known to soccer fans."
"Those in power co-opt those they know best".
Beyond whether or not they have left their mark on the history of African soccer, the presence of former glories at CAF-invited events is also a matter of lobbying, believes Jean-Marc Adjovi-Boco, a former Benin international who played for Racing club de Lens and current Technical Advisor to Benin's Minister of Sport, gave his opinion in a whatsApp forum on the absence of former Benin internationals at CAF events.
"When we talk about soccer, we don't immediately think of Benin. It's up to us to make sure things change. Those in place co-opt those they know best. Being close to Anthony BAFFOE (former Ghanaian international and former CAF assistant general secretary, editor's note), for a time I was called in to play matches with African legends. Now that I'm 60, it's getting a bit more difficult...and we have to make room for the youngsters."Mickael Poté, consultant on the Ivorian channel NCI during the AFCON 2023, invites the country to work hard to correct the situation."I rubbed shoulders with these CAF legends, who also looked at me differently. They know Benin, and it's now up to us to show continuity. We need to be more regular in competitions, achieve good results and shine collectively as well as individually," he concludes.
