AFCON 2023 (Q) - Benin: Cheetahs look to rekindle bond with supporters

Beating Mozambique and qualifying for Côte d'Ivoire 2023 is the key mission for Benin's Cheetahs. Players and technical staff are aware of what is at stake. Stade Brestois forward Steve Mounié is ready for this final. "We've come a long way in this campaign and now we have the chance to go to Côte d'Ivoire, and I know my team-mates and I will give everything on Saturday. I hope they (the supporters, editor's note) will keep backing us, as they did in the game against Senegal. We need everyone's strength to get this qualification done."

The Cheetahs want to make amends

For a team that failed to qualify for the Cameroon 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and the Qatar 2022 World Cup, now more than ever is the time to mend fences with the supporters. And all the players understand that. "We know it's our last chance to reach the AFCON. We'll do our job. The Beninese people need to back us and push us all the way", said Junior Olaïtan, who plays for ESTAC Troyes in French Ligue 2.

His team-mate Marcelin Koukpo, who recently joined El Sahel in Saudi Arabia, would rather make an appeal to the supporters. "The first thing to do is to win back the people's trust. That isn't easy, but we will do it. We're aware of the situation and we will make the people happy and ourselves too. Give us the trust we need and don't be quick to blame us. Let us do the job first and they will see the result", said the former CS Constantine player.

"The general watchword is to give everything to qualify"

Gernot Rohr, appointed national team coach after Benin's two defeats in the first two qualifying matches, has set the country's qualification for the 2026 World Cup as his objective. The Franco-German understands the urgency and says his side will go all out in the game. "We don't quite know whether we should play, wait or defend. So there can be a certain anxiety if the score stays level for a while. It's up to us to make them doubt a little and, as challengers, to put them under pressure. The general watchword is to give everything to qualify. But also to fight for the country and get to the AFCON. It's a bit of a surprise to have this final, because after the first two defeats we were practically out, and so, this chance is there and we'll try to take it."

Supporters hungry for qualification

In recent years Benin have had little success in away qualifiers or on the final matchday of qualifying. Gernot Rohr and Victor Oshimen's Nigeria dashed the hopes of an entire nation in the 5th round of 2021 AFCON qualifying, with a 1-0 win for the Super Eagles at the Stade Charles de Gaulle in Porto-Novo.

Beninese fans see a glimmer of hope in a team that is now younger. "The players must give everything to bring joy to the supporters' hearts. The people are waiting for this qualification", says Bienvenu Kassin. Mazourath Fofana, a devoted Cheetahs supporter, urges the people to back the team more than ever. " It won't be easy but if the players give everything they can snatch this qualification that the people are waiting for. I know the players will give their best to win this match. I would also like to ask the supporters to give the players their backing." Jérôme is doubtful about a Beninese win in Maputo. "A win is possible. They've shown us their limits in the past but they've also shown us that in situations like this they can get us qualified. We'll hope for qualification", he concluded.

In the first leg, the Mambas beat Benin at the Stade Général Mathieu Kérékou in Cotonou (0-1). The Cheetahs must pounce on Saturday to write a new page in the history of Beninese football. They will be without Tosin Aiyegun and captain Khaled Adenon, who are both ruled out.

Rachidi DOSSA