Benin national football team

Benin
Nickname(s)	Les Écureuils ; (The Squirrels)
Association	Benin Football Federation
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	WAFU (West Africa)
Head coach	Michel Dussuyer
Captain	Stéphane Sessègnon
Most caps	Stéphane Sessègnon (83)
Top scorer	Stéphane Sessègnon (24)
Home stadium	Stade de l'Amitié
FIFA code	BEN
First colours	Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	84 (11 June 2020)[1]
Highest	59 (November–December 2009, April 2010)
Lowest	165 (July 1996)
Elo ranking
Current	89 15 (2 April 2020)[2]
Highest	56 (December 1964)
Lowest	165 (13 May 1995)
First international
	Dahomey 0–1 Nigeria ; (Dahomey; 8 November 1959)
Biggest win
	Dahomey 7–0 Mauritania ; (Abidjan, Ivory Coast; 27 December 1961)
Biggest defeat
	Nigeria 10–1 Dahomey ; (Nigeria; 28 November 1959)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	4 (first in 2004)
Best result	Quarter-finals (2019)

The Benin national football team, (French: Équipe nationale de Football du Benin) nicknamed Les Écureuils (The Squirrels), represents Benin in men's international association football and is controlled by the Benin Football Federation. They were known as the Dahomey national football team until 1975, when Republic of Dahomey became Benin. They have never qualified for the World Cup, but have reached four African Nations Cup in recent years, never placing in the top 2 in the group stage – 2004, 2008, 2010 and 2019. In 2019, they reached the knockouts as the third most successful third place team, before making the quarter-finals with a shock win over Morocco, but later lost to Senegal. On 8 February 2010 after the preliminary competition from the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, the Benin Football Federation dissolved the national team, coach Henri Dussuyer and his complete staff were fired.[3] On May 9, 2016, Benin was suspended from FIFA, The team represents both FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Competitive records

World Cup record

FIFA World Cup record									FIFA World Cup Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1970	Did not enter								Did not enter
1974	Did not qualify								3	0	0	3	1	10
1978 to 1982	Did not enter								Did not enter
1986	Did not qualify								2	0	0	2	0	6
1990	Did not enter								Did not enter
1994	Did not qualify								6	1	0	5	3	19
1998	Did not enter								Did not enter
2002	Did not qualify								2	0	1	1	1	2
2006									12	2	3	7	13	26
2010									6	3	1	2	6	6
2014									6	2	2	2	8	9
2018									2	1	0	1	2	3
2022	To be determined								Qualification yet to start
2026	To be determined								Qualification yet to start
Total	−	0/23	−	−	−	−	−	−	39	9	7	23	34	81

Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1957	Part of France
1959	Part of France
1962	Not affiliated to CAF
1963	Not affiliated to CAF
1965	Did not enter
1968
1970
1972	Did not qualify
1974	Withdrew
1976	Withdrew
1978	Did not enter
1980	Did not qualify
1982	Did not enter
1984	Did not qualify
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996	Withdrew
1998	Did not qualify
2000
2002
2004	Group stage	16th	3	0	0	3	1	8
2006	Did not qualify
2008	Group stage	15th	3	0	0	3	1	7
2010	Group stage	14th	3	0	1	2	2	5
2012	Did not qualify
2013
2015
2017
2019	Quarter-finals	8th	5	0	4	1	3	4
2021	To be determined
2023
2025
Total	Quarter-finals	4/32	14	0	5	9	7	24

West African Nations Cup

West African Nations Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1982	Group stage	6th	3	0	2	1	4	8
1983	Did not enter
1984	Group stage	5th	4	0	0	4	3	9
1986	Did not enter
1987	Group stage	7th	3	0	2	1	3	7
Total	Group stage	3/5	10	0	4	6	10	24

WAFU Nations Cup

WAFU Nations Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
2010	Group stage	7th	3	0	1	2	0	5
2011	Did not enter
2013	Fourth place	4th	4	0	2	2	5	6
2017	Fourth place	4th	5	2	0	3	4	8
Total	Fourth place	3/4	12	2	3	7	9	19

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Win Draw Loss

2019

25 June 2019 2019 AFCON	Ghana	2–2	Benin	Ismailia, Egypt
22:00 CAT	A. Ayew 9' J. Ayew 42'	Report	Poté 2', 63'	Stadium: Ismailia Stadium Attendance: 8,094 Referee: Youssef Essrayri (Tunisia)

29 June 2019 2019 AFCON	Benin	0–0	Guinea-Bissau	Ismailia, Egypt
22:00 CAT		Report		Stadium: Ismailia Stadium Attendance: 9,212 Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Burundi)

2 July 2019 2019 AFCON	Benin	0–0	Cameroon	Ismailia, Egypt
18:00 CAT		Report		Stadium: Ismailia Stadium Referee: Sadok Selmi (Tunisia)

5 July 2019 2019 AFCON	Morocco	1–1 (a.e.t.) (1–4 p)	Benin	Cairo, Egypt
18:00 CAT	En-Nesyri 75'	Report	Adilehou 53'	Stadium: Al Salam Stadium Referee: Helder Martins de Carvalho (Angola)
	Penalties
	Idrissi Boufal En-Nesyri		Verdon Djigla Anaane Séïbou

10 July 2019 2019 AFCON	Senegal	1–0	Benin	Cairo, Egypt
18:00 CAT	Gueye 69'	Report		Stadium: 30 June Stadium Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)

6 September 2019 Friendly	Ivory Coast	1–2	Benin	Caen, France
20:00	Assalé 81'	Report	Dossou 82' Sessègnon 87' (pen.)	Stadium: Stade Michel d'Ornano Attendance: 1,000

9 September 2019 Friendly	Algeria	1–0	Benin	Blida, Algeria
21:00	Slimani 72' (pen.)	Report		Stadium: Mustapha Tchaker Stadium Attendance: 45,000 Referee: Ibrahim Nour El Din (Egypt)

13 October 2019 Friendly	Benin	2–2	Zambia	Porto-Novo, Benin
18:00	Mounié 39' Poté 90'	Report	Shonga 20', 79'	Stadium: Stade Charles de Gaulle Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo)

13 November 2019 (2019-11-13) 2021 AFCONQ	Nigeria	2–1	Benin	Uyo, Nigeria
17:00 UTC+1	Osimhen 45+1' (pen.) Kalu 62'		Sessègnon 3'	Stadium: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium

17 November 2019 (2019-11-17) 2021 AFCONQ	Benin	1–0	Sierra Leone	Porto-Novo, Benin
14:00 UTC+1	Dossou 28'			Stadium: Stade Charles de Gaulle

2019 Africa Cup of Nations

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Ghana	3	1	2	0	4	2	+2	5	Advance to knockout stage
2	Cameroon	3	1	2	0	2	0	+2	5
3	Benin	3	0	3	0	2	2	0	3
4	Guinea-Bissau	3	0	1	2	0	4	−4	1

Source: CAF

Players

Current squad

The following players have been called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Nigeria and Sierra Leone on 13 & 17 November 2019.[4]

Caps and goals correct as of 17 November 2019 after the game against Sierra Leone.[5]

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Fabien Farnolle	(1985-02-05) 5 February 1985	29	0	Malatyaspor
1GK	Chérif Dine Kakpo	(1997-12-01) 1 December 1997	2	0	Buffles
1GK	Marcel Dandjinou	(1998-06-25) 25 June 1998	0	0	ESAE

2DF	David Kiki	(1993-11-25) 25 November 1993	25	0	Brest
2DF	Olivier Verdon	(1995-10-05) 5 October 1995	20	0	Eupen
2DF	Emmanuel Imorou	(1988-09-16) 16 September 1988	19	0	Thonon Evian FC
2DF	Nabil Yarou	(1993-06-16) 16 June 1993	13	1	Buffles
2DF	Cédric Hountondji	(1994-01-19) 19 January 1994	10	0	Clermont
2DF	Jean Ogounchi	(1996-11-23) 23 November 1996	7	0	Tonnerre
2DF	Youssouf Assogba	Uncertain	5	0	USS Kraké
2DF	Melvyn Doremus	(1996-10-26) 26 October 1996	0	0	AF Bobigny

3MF	Stéphane Sessègnon (Captain)	(1984-06-01) 1 June 1984	83	24	Gençlerbirliği
3MF	Jordan Adéoti	(1989-03-12) 12 March 1989	34	0	Auxerre
3MF	Séïbou Mama	(1995-12-28) 28 December 1995	31	2	Toulon
3MF	Sessi D'Almeida	(1995-11-20) 20 November 1995	15	1	Valenciennes
3MF	Tidjani Anaane	(1997-03-27) 27 March 1997	4	0	Slimane
3MF	Jérôme Bonou	(1994-01-27) 27 January 1994	4	0	Djoliba

4FW	Mickaël Poté (Vice-captain)	(1984-09-24) 24 September 1984	58	10	Büyükşehir Belediye Erzurumspor
4FW	Jodel Dossou	(1992-03-17) 17 March 1992	35	4	Hartberg
4FW	Steve Mounié	(1994-09-29) 29 September 1994	25	7	Huddersfield Town
4FW	Marcellin Koukpo	(1995-04-06) 6 April 1995	12	2	Hammam Lif
4FW	Cebio Soukou	(1992-10-02) 2 October 1992	11	0	Arminia Bielefeld
4FW	Yannick Aguemon	(1992-02-11) 11 February 1992	3	0	OH Leuven

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for Benin in the last 12 months.[6]

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Saturnin Allagbé	(1993-11-22) 22 November 1993	19	0	Niort	v. Zambia, 13 October 2019
GK	Sheyi Damilola	(1998-12-09) 9 December 1998	0	0	Unattached	v. Togo, 4 August 2019

DF	Junior Salomon	(1986-04-08) 8 April 1986	22	0	Plateau United	v. Zambia, 13 October 2019
DF	Djalilou Ouorou	(1997-07-18) 18 July 1997	1	0	JA Cotonou	v. Zambia, 13 October 2019
DF	Maël Sedagondji	(1999-08-23) 23 August 1999	0	0	Dijon	v. Zambia, 13 October 2019
DF	Khaled Adénon	(1985-07-28) 28 July 1985	65	2	Free Agent	v. Algeria, 9 September 2019
DF	Gaston Houngbédji	(1998-02-05) 5 February 1998	9	0	ASPAC	v. Togo, 4 August 2019
DF	Nana Nafihou	(1988-01-30) 30 January 1988	9	0	Gomido	v. Togo, 4 August 2019
DF	Erick Akplogan	(1992-05-17) 17 May 1992	0	0	Unattached	v. Togo, 4 August 2019
DF	Séidou Barazé	(1990-10-20) 20 October 1990	22	0	Yzeure	2019 AFCON
DF	Moïse Adilehou	(1995-11-01) 1 November 1995	9	0	Boluspor	2019 AFCON

MF	Rodrigue Kossi	(2000-07-11) 11 July 2000	1	1	Club Africain	v. Zambia, 13 October 2019
MF	Patrick Sédjamè	(1998-12-29) 29 December 1998	1	0	Buffles	v. Zambia, 13 October 2019
MF	Rodrigue Fassinou	(1999-05-22) 22 May 1999	12	0	ASPAC	v. Togo, 4 August 2019
MF	Waris Aboki	(1997-07-20) 20 July 1997	8	1	ASPAC	v. Togo, 4 August 2019
MF	Saliou Idrissou	(1998-01-01) 1 January 1998	2	0	Panthères	v. Togo, 4 August 2019
MF	Djibril Naïm Olatoundji	(1995-12-29) 29 December 1995	2	0	ASVO	v. Togo, 4 August 2019
MF	Patrick Sédjamè	(1998-12-29) 29 December 1998	1	0	Buffles	v. Togo, 4 August 2019

FW	Segbé Azankpo	(1993-05-06) 6 May 1993	7	0	Oldham	v. Zambia, 13 October 2019
FW	Rudy Gestede	(1988-10-10) 10 October 1988	11	3	Middlesbrough	v. Zambia, 13 October 2019 ^INJ
FW	Friday Martins	(1990-02-03) 3 February 1990	2	0	UPI-ONM	v. Togo, 4 August 2019
FW	Saliou Allabani	(2001-11-10) 10 November 2001	1	0	Dragons de l'Ouémé	v. Togo, 4 August 2019
FW	Bio Chabi	(2000-09-25) 25 September 2000	1	0	Tiare Tahiti	v. Togo, 4 August 2019
FW	Gilbert Adangnandé	(1996-12-30) 30 December 1996	1	0	Énergie SBEÉ	v. Togo, 4 August 2019
FW	David Djigla	(1995-08-23) 23 August 1995	25	4	Niort	2019 AFCON
^DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. ^INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury. ^PRE Preliminary squad. ^RET Player has retired from international football. ^SUS Suspended from the national team. ^WD Withdrew from squad.

Records

As of 17 November 2019

Players in bold text are still active with Benin.

Most Caps[7]
#	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Stéphane Sessègnon	83	24	2004–
2	Khaled Adénon	65	2	2006–
3	Mickaël Poté	58	10	2008–
=	Damien Chrysostome	58	0	2002–2011
5	Razak Omotoyossi	55	21	2004–2016
=	Jocelyn Ahouéya	55	3	2003–2013
7	Romuald Boco	52	1	2004–2013
8	Séïdath Tchomogo	51	4	2003–2014
9	Anicet Adjamossi	44	1	2002–2013
10	Mouritala Ogunbiyi	42	6	2007–2014

Top Goalscorers[7]
#	Player	Goals	Caps	Career
1	Stéphane Sessègnon	24	83	2004–
2	Razak Omotoyossi	21	55	2004–2016
3	Oumar Tchomogo	15	34	1995–2008
4	Mickaël Poté	10	58	2008–
5	Steve Mounié	7	25	2015–
6	Mouritala Ogunbiyi	6	42	2001–2010
=	Moussa Latoundji	6	21	1993–2004

List of Benin managers

Serge Devèze
Wabi Gomez
Peter Schnittger (1992)
Moise Ekoue (1993)
Cecil Jones Attuquayefio (2003–2004)
Hervé Revelli (2004)
Edmé Codjo (2005–2007)
Didier Notheaux (2007)
Reinhard Fabisch (2007–2008)
Michel Dussuyer (2008–2010)
Jean-Marc Nobilo (2010)
Denis Goavec (2010–2011)
Edmé Codjo (2011–2012)
Manuel Amoros (2012–2014)
Didier Ollé-Nicolle (2014)
Oumar Tchomogo (2015–2017)
Michel Dussuyer (2018–)

References

"The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
Benin löst Nationalelf auf
"Elim CAN 2021: La liste de Dussuyer avec des surprises" (in French). Retrieved 5 November 2019.
"Benin team of 2019". national-football-teams.com. National Football Teams.
"Bénin – Zambie : Trois joueurs appelés en remplacement des blessés avec Désiré Sègbè Azankpo!" (in French). Retrieved 6 October 2019.
Mamrud, Roberto. "Benin – Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 12 November 2017.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[FIFA_World_Rankings-1] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.

[World_Football_Elo_Ratings-2] Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.

[3] Benin löst Nationalelf auf

[4] "Elim CAN 2021: La liste de Dussuyer avec des surprises" (in French). Retrieved 5 November 2019.

[5] "Benin team of 2019". national-football-teams.com. National Football Teams.

[6] "Bénin – Zambie : Trois joueurs appelés en remplacement des blessés avec Désiré Sègbè Azankpo!" (in French). Retrieved 6 October 2019.

[rsssf_benin_players-7] Mamrud, Roberto. "Benin – Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 12 November 2017.

National football teams of Africa (CAF)
North Africa (UNAF)	Algeria Egypt Libya Morocco Tunisia
West Africa (WAFU)	Benin Burkina Faso Cape Verde Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Liberia Mali Mauritania Niger Nigeria Senegal Sierra Leone Togo
East Africa (CECAFA)	Burundi Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya Rwanda Somalia South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Uganda Zanzibar¹
Central Africa (UNIFFAC)	Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Congo DR Congo Equatorial Guinea Gabon São Tomé and Príncipe
Southern Africa (COSAFA)	Angola Botswana Comoros Eswatini Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Seychelles South Africa Zambia Zimbabwe
Non-regional Members	Réunion¹
¹ Associate member of CAF but not member of FIFA