After missing a couple of editions, Benin returns to the Africa Cup 2025 with fresh energy and renewed self-belief. The national team, increasingly known as a tough and hard-to-beat outsider, has taken important steps in recent years toward stability and a recognizable style of play. Expectations go beyond simply participating: the Cheetahs want to prove that their 2019 quarter-final run was no fluke. With a mix of experienced players and new talent, Benin arrives in Morocco determined to show they have serious ambitions on the African stage.
- Nickname: The Cheetahs
- Head coach: Gernot Rohr
- AFCON appearances: 4 times
- FIFA ranking: 95
Benin’s Match Schedule
Algeria has been drawn into Group D, alongside Senegal, DR Congo and Botswana. Below is their full group stage schedule, including dates, times and venues. So you know exactly when to follow the Desert Foxes.
| 23 December | Group stage |
 DR Congo Benin | 1 0 |
| 27 December | Group stage |
Benin Botswana | 1 0 |
| 30 December | Group stage |
Benin Senegal | 0 3 |
| 5 January | Round of 16 |
 Egypt Benin | 3 (NV) 1 |
Stats Benin AFCON 2025
Top scorers
| # | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Yohan Roche | 1 |
| 2. | Jodel Dossou | 1 |
Assists
| # | Player | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Steve Mounié | 1 |
Rating
| # | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Yohan Roche | 7,1 |
| 2. | Junior Olaitan | 6,9 |
| 3. | Olivier Verdon | 6,9 |
| 4. | Steve Mounié | 6,8 |
| 5. | Marcel Dandjinou | 6,8 |
| 6. | Sessi D’Almeida | 6,7 |
| 7. | Dokou Dodo | 6,7 |
| 8. | Hassane Imourane | 6,6 |
| 9. | Tamimou Ouorou | 6,6 |
| 10. | Mohamed Tijani | 6,5 |
Benin Squad
Keepers:
Marcel Dandjinou (Kruger United), Saturnin Allagbé (FC Chauray), Serge Obassa (Remo Stars FC)
Defenders:
Attidjikou Samadou (Smouha), Charlemagne Azongnitodé (AC Oulu), Rodrigue Fassinou (Coton Sport FC), David Kiki (FCSB), Rachid Moumini (Sumqayit), Tamimou Ouorou (AS Sobemap), Yohan Roche (Petrolul), Mohamed Tijani (Yverdon Sport), Olivier Verdon (Ludogorets)
Midfielders:
Mattéo Ahlinvi (Arsenal Toela), Mariano Ahouangbo (NK Olimpija), Gislain Ahoudo (AS Gabès), Sessi D’Almeida (Neftchi PFK), Dokou Dodo (Leixões), Imourane Hassane (Grasshoppers), Rodrigue Kossi (Hassania d’Agadir)
Attackers:
Adam Akimey (Helsingborgs IF), Rodolfo Aloko (NK Kustosija), Romaric Amoussou (ASEC Mimosas), Jodel Dossou (Pays du Valois), Steve Mounié (Alanyaspor), Junior Olaitan (Göztepe), Razack Rachidou (NK Kustosija), Olatoundji Tessilimi (SJK Seinäjoki), Tosin Aiyegun (FC Lorient)
Head Coach Benin
Since his appointment in February 2023, Gernot Rohr has injected new life into the Beninese national team. The German-French coach brought a wealth of experience, having led Nigeria to a third-place finish at AFCON 2019 and guided Gabon to the quarter-finals in 2012. His structured approach and preference for the 4-2-3-1 system have added both balance and creativity to the Cheetahs’ play. His arrival marked a turning point after the team missed the 2021 and 2023 tournaments.
Star Player Benin
Steve Mounié has long been the face of Beninese football and remains the man to watch as AFCON 2025 approaches. Standing at 1.90m, the powerful striker is renowned for his aerial strength and ability to make the difference with just one chance. At his club, FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga, he has become a reliable attacking leader. His style, strong hold-up play, dangerous in set pieces and dominant in duels, makes him a constant threat to opponents.
For Benin, Mounié has been just as vital. With 19 goals in 58 caps, he is closing in on Stéphane Sessègnon’s all-time scoring record. During the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, he once again proved his importance by scoring crucial goals. His leadership, top-level experience and relentless mentality embody the ambition of the Cheetahs to go further than their historic 2019 quarter-final appearance.
AFCON History
Benin’s AFCON history is modest but notable. Their first three appearances were mostly about gaining experience against Africa’s heavyweights, with group-stage exits in 2004, 2008, and 2010. But the 2019 edition in Egypt marked a historic breakthrough.
That year, Benin went unbeaten in the group stage, stunned Morocco in the Round of 16, and reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history. Remarkably, they did so without winning a single match in 90 minutes, showcasing instead their resilience, organization, and mental toughness. The run cemented their reputation as a tricky and dangerous outsider.
Road to AFCON 2025
Benin’s qualification journey for AFCON 2025 was far from easy. Drawn into a group with regional powerhouse Nigeria and tricky opponents Rwanda and Libya, every point was hard-earned. After a tough start against Nigeria, the Cheetahs bounced back with crucial wins over Libya and Rwanda, keeping their hopes alive until the final matchday. Thanks to a superior goal difference over Rwanda, Benin secured second place and punched their ticket to Morocco.
| Saturday 7 September 2024 | |
 Nigeria Benin | 3 0 |
| Tuesday 10 September 2024 | |
Benin Libya | 2 1 |
| Friday 11 October 2024 | |
Benin Rwanda | 3 0 |
| Tuesday 15 October 2024 | |
| Rwanda Benin | 2 1 |
| Monday 11 November 2024 | |
| Benin Nigeria | 1 1 |
| Tuesday 19 November 2024 | |
| Libya Benin | 0 0 |
| Team | PTS | G | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +6 |
| Benin | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | +0 |
| Rwanda | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | -2 |
| Libya | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -4 |
Stats
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Steve Mounié | 2 |
| 2. | Andreas Hountondji | 2 |
| 3. | Junior Olaitan | 1 |
| 4. | Hassane Imourane | 1 |
| 5. | Mohamed Tijani | 1 |
Assists
| Player | Assists | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Junior Olaitan | 2 |
| 2. | Rachid Moumini | 1 |
| 3. | Jodel Dossou | 1 |
| 4. | Hassane Imourane | 1 |
Players Rating
| Player | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Junior Olaitan | 7,6 |
| 2. | Steve Mounié | 7,3 |
| 3. | Hassane Imourane | 7,1 |
| 4. | Dokou Dodo | 7,1 |
| 5. | David Kiki | 7,0 |
| 6. | Mohamed Tijani | 6,9 |
| 7. | Tamimou Ouorou | 6,9 |
| 8. | Cédric Hountondji | 6,9 |
| 9. | Marcel Dandjinou | 6,9 |
| 10. | Abdoul Rachid Moumini | 6,8 |