AFCON 2023 (Q) - Benin: Olaitan and Aiyegun, the two Cheetahs most eagerly awaited

Junior Ishola Olaïtan represents the future of Benin's national team. The Chamois Niortais man is undoubtedly the new darling of Beninese sports fans. He embodies the new generation coming through in the national team. Olaïtan, who developed in Benin, won hearts at the UFOA B tournament held in January 2021. The young talent had provided two assists against Togo and made a good impression at the tournament. His fine showing earned him a first call-up to the senior side in June 2021. Olaïtan made his debut against Madagascar in a qualifier for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. On 4 June 2022, he came on in the 62nd minute and scored Benin's only goal, from an Aiyegun assist, against Senegal, the reigning African champions, on the first matchday of the qualifiers. Back at his club, Olaïtan has enjoyed a meteoric rise. The 20-year-old gem scored two goals in the first games under his compatriot, coach Omar Tchomogo, on the Niort bench. He has found the net 5 times in 29 games in Ligue 2 and the Coupe de France. Aiyegun to sharpen the attack Tosin Aiyegun is the most prolific of the Benin forwards playing abroad this season. The 24-year-old was discovered at the Antalya Cup tournament in March 2022, won by Benin. He scored two goals in his first three games for the national team. The Cheetah is having his best season with FC Zurich since joining in September 2019. The Benin international has bagged 10 goals in 23 games this season. In his last six games for the Swiss club, Aiyegun has scored six goals, including two braces. Olaïtan to energise the midfield When announcing his squad on 10 March, Gernot Rohr explained his game plan. “We have our backs to the wall. I think playing in a low block won't be the best solution for us. We have to go for it and score goals.” Olaïtan and Aiyegun, both of Nigerian origin, feature in the coach's plans for the two qualifying matches. With Sessi d'Almeida and Melvyn Doremus suspended, Rhor could go with a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, with Junior Olaïtan as an attacking midfielder or shifted out to the left or even the right, given his versatility. “We are going to give him a lot more technical responsibility. He is in form and we are going to count on him tomorrow,” Gernot Rohr said at the pre-match press conference. Though he was often used as a substitute by former coach Michel Dussuyer, he never fails to show his energy and his determination to grow when given the chance. Every time he has come off the bench for the national team, he has been applauded for his assured first touches. His technical range and his impact on the team's attacking play lift the side late in games. Aiyegun, the man for the occasion The FC Zurich centre-forward can play as a right or left winger depending on the system. But with Steve Mounié starting the match on the bench because of a fascia problem in his thigh, Aiyegun will have the responsibility of leading the line. “He is in very good form. He will be important for us. We are going to rely on him to try to beat Rwanda,” the coach explained. Focus and a clinical edge to win If there are two things Olaïtan needs to improve, they are his aggression and the possession he gives away, which he must rein in. Between matchdays 22 and 24 of the French Ligue 2, in which he scored twice, he was booked in all three games. At the Général Mathieu Kérékou stadium in Cotonou, the player lets himself get carried away by the fervour of the home crowd, who are under his spell. As for Aiyegun, the striker will need to be more clinical in front of goal. Against Senegal and Mozambique, the 24-year-old failed to find a way through. AFCON 2023 (Q): the schedule for matchdays 3 and 4 Rachidi DOSSA