Benin national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Benin women's national football team.

The Benin national football team (French: Équipe nationale de Football du Benin), nicknamed Les Guépards (The Cheetahs), represents Benin in men's international association football and are controlled by the Benin Football Federation. They were known as Dahomey until 1975, when the Republic of Dahomey became Benin.

Benin

Nickname(s)	Les Guépards (The Cheetahs) Formerly: Les Ecureuils (The Squirrels)
Association	Benin Football Federation
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	WAFU (West Africa)
Head coach	Gernot Rohr
Captain	Khaled Adénon
Most caps	Stéphane Sessègnon (89)
Top scorer	Stéphane Sessègnon (24)
Home stadium	Stade de l'Amitié
FIFA code	BEN
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	97 1 (4 April 2024)
Highest	59 (November–December 2009, April 2010)
Lowest	165 (July 1996)
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)

Benin have been affiliated with FIFA since 1962 and are a member of the Confederation of African Football since 1969. They have never qualified for the World Cup, but have participated at four Africa Cups of Nations in 2004, 2008, 2010 and 2019, never placing in the top two in the group stage at all of these occasions. However, Benin has a unique record as the country is the first national team to reach the quarter-finals of an AFCON edition without gaining a single win in their AFCON history.

History

Benin hosted its first official international match on 8 November 1959, a 1-0 loss to Nigeria. The match was played while the country was still a French dependency, prior to its independence on 1 August 1960.

Benin qualified for the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, their first AFCON in history. However, they lost all three matches to South Africa, Morocco and again Nigeria. Benin's only goal was scored by Moussa Latoundji against Nigeria.

History repeated itself again in 2008, when Benin lost to Mali, the Ivory Coast and yet again Nigeria. They also scored only once through Razak Omotoyossi in the 4-1 defeat to the Ivory Coast.

In 2010, the Benin Football Federation's president Anjorin Moucharaf was arrested. Members of the BFF decried the imprisonment, saying that Moucharaf had been unjustly accused of fraud, leading to 12 of the 15 board members resigning in protest.

In the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, Benin topped their group in the second round. They started with a defeat to Angola but went on to win the next four matches and ensure their qualification before the final day. In the third round of the qualifiers, Benin finished second in their group, three points behind Ghana. Despite not qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Benin's second place finish ensured their qualification to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, where they drew against Mozambique to receive their first ever point at the AFCON. The Squirrels then lost their other two matches against Nigeria and defending champions Egypt to finish third in their group and fail to progress to the next round. After this performance, on 8 February 2010, the BFF, not willing to accept a group stage exit for the third time in a row, dissolved the national team and sacked coach Michel Dussuyer, as well as the rest of his staff. Dussuyer was unaware that he had been sacked and claimed that he had not done anything wrong. The team became an innocent victim of enraged African countries failing to accept defeat at major tournaments and disbanding their national teams in the early 2010s, along with Nigeria, the team that Benin have met in the group stage of all three of their AFCONs before their disbandment, which were suspended for two years by President Goodluck Jonathan after the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

In the second round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Benin were placed in Group H with Algeria, Mali and Rwanda. They finished third in their group, failing to advance to the next round.

On 9 May 2016, FIFA suspended Benin for unknown reasons.

At the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, despite advancing only as the third-best third-placed team, Benin, reunited with Dussuyer, reached the quarter-finals, where they lost to eventual runners-up Senegal, with a shock win over tournament favourites Morocco on penalties.

Results and fixtures

Main article: Benin national football team results (2020–present)

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

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

Rwanda v Benin

29 March 2023 AFCON qualification	Rwanda	0–3 (awarded)	Benin	Kigali, Rwanda
15:00 UTC+2	Manzi 71'	Report	Dossou 57'	Stadium: Kigali Pelé Stadium Referee: Abdulkadir Artan (Somalia)

Benin v Senegal

17 June 2023 AFCON qualification	Benin	1–1	Senegal	Cotonou, Benin
20:00 UTC+1	Moumini 78'	Report	Seck 43'	Stadium: Stade de l'Amitié Referee: Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo (DR Congo)

Mozambique v Benin

9 September 2023 AFCON qualification	Mozambique	3–2	Benin	Maputo, Mozambique
15:00 UTC+2	Witi 27' Guima 31' Clésio 90+5'	Report	Mounié 20' Dossou 50'	Stadium: Estádio do Zimpeto Referee: Mohamed Adel (Egypt)

Benin v Sierra Leone

14 October Friendly	Benin	1–1	Sierra Leone	Khouribga, Morocco
16:30 UTC+1	C. Hountondji 90+9'		Buya Turay 32'	Stadium: Phosphate Stadium

Madagascar v Benin

17 October Friendly	Madagascar	2–1	Benin	Casablanca, Morocco
16:00 UTC+1				Stadium: Larbi Zaouli Stadium

South Africa v Benin

18 November 2026 World Cup qualification	South Africa	2–1	Benin	Durban, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2	Tau 2' Mudau 45+2'	Report	Mounié 70'	Stadium: Moses Mabhida Stadium Referee: Mahmood Ismail (Sudan)

Lesotho v Benin

21 November 2026 World Cup qualification	Lesotho	0–0	Benin	Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: Orlando Stadium Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Tsegay Mogos Teklu (Eritrea)

2024

Ivory Coast v Benin

23 March Friendly	Ivory Coast	2–2	Benin	Amiens, France
17:00 UTC+1	Gradel 29' O. Diakité 69'	Report	Olaitan 8', 51'	Stadium: Stade de la Licorne

Senegal v Benin

26 March Friendly	Senegal	1–0	Benin	Amiens, France
20:30 UTC+1				Stadium: Stade de la Licorne

Benin v Rwanda

Benin v Nigeria

Coaching history

• 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 (2018–2021)
• Moussa Latoundji (2022–2023)
• Gernot Rohr (2023–present)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Ivory Coast and Senegal on 23 and 26 March 2024.

Caps and goals correct as of 21 November 2023, after the match against Lesotho

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Saturnin Allagbé	(1993-11-22) 22 November 1993	45	0	Dijon
	1GK	Marcel Dandjinou	(1998-06-25) 25 June 1998	3	0	JDR Stars
	1GK	Serge Obassa	(1996-06-30) 30 June 1996	2	0	AS Cotonou
	2DF	Youssouf Assogba	(2001-08-21) 21 August 2001	19	0	Amiens
	2DF	David Kiki	(1993-11-25) 25 November 1993	46	0	Farul Constanța
	2DF	Olivier Verdon	(1995-10-05) 5 October 1995	34	0	Ludogorets Razgrad
	2DF	Cédric Hountondji	(1994-01-19) 19 January 1994	25	2	Angers
	2DF	Yohan Roche	(1997-07-07) 7 July 1997	11	1	Quevilly-Rouen
	2DF	Mohamed Tijani	(1997-07-10) 10 July 1997	7	0	Yverdon-Sport
	2DF	Rachid Moumini	(2004-10-27) 27 October 2004	6	1	Ayema
	2DF	Rabiou Sankamao	(2003-10-12) 12 October 2003	2	0	ASPAC
	2DF	Tamimou Ouorou	(2003-05-03) 3 May 2003	1	0	Hatta Club
	3MF	Sessi D'Almeida	(1995-11-20) 20 November 1995	30	1	Pau
	3MF	Mattéo Ahlinvi	(1999-07-02) 2 July 1999	18	0	Västerås SK
	3MF	Dodo Dokou	(2004-05-04) 4 May 2004	6	0	Smouha
	3MF	Imourane Hassane	(2003-04-08) 8 April 2003	5	0	Modern Future
	3MF	Lenny Pirringuel	(2004-03-02) 2 March 2004	0	0	Bordeaux
	3MF	Mariano Ahouangbo	(2002-11-16) 16 November 2002	0	0	AS Soliman
	4FW	Jodel Dossou	(1992-03-17) 17 March 1992	60	9	Sochaux
	4FW	Steve Mounié	(1994-09-29) 29 September 1994	49	16	Brest
	4FW	Charbel Gomez	(2001-01-27) 27 January 2001	18	0	Amiens
	4FW	Andréas Hountondji	(2002-07-11) 11 July 2002	6	0	Rodez
	4FW	Ricardo Prince Dossou	(2006-07-20) 20 July 2006	2	0	ASVO
	4FW	Junior Olaitan	(2002-05-09) 9 May 2002	6	0	Troyes
	4FW	Tosin Aiyegun	(1998-06-26) 26 June 1998	9	3	Lorient

Recent call-ups

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

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Frédéric Ahomadégbé	(1998-06-25) 25 June 1998	2	0	JDR Stars	v. Senegal; 17 June 2023
GK	François Agbossou	(1996-06-30) 30 June 1996	2	0	Buffles	v. Senegal; 17 June 2023
DF	Rodrigue Fassinou	(1999-05-22) 22 May 1999	16	0	Loto-Popo	v. Lesotho; 21 November 2023
DF	Khaled Adénon	(1985-07-28) 28 July 1985	85	2	Doxa Katokopias	v. Senegal; 17 June 2023
DF	Olivier Djossou	(1997-07-10) 10 July 1997	3	0	Zbrojovka Brno	v. Senegal; 17 June 2023
DF	Fabrice Hounkponou	(2003-10-12) 12 October 2003	1	0	ASPAC	v. Senegal; 17 June 2023
DF	Didier Agbodjan	(1994-10-19) 19 October 1994	0	0	Orléans	v. Senegal; 17 June 2023
DF	André Kpohinto	(2004-10-27) 27 October 2004	0	0	Ayema	v. Senegal; 17 June 2023
DF	Melvyn Doremus	(1996-10-29) 29 October 1996	12	0	Chambly	v. Rwanda; 29 March 2023
MF	Cebio Soukou	(1992-10-02) 2 October 1992	24	4	Bandırmaspor	v. Lesotho; 21 November 2023
MF	Junior Olaitan	(2002-05-09) 9 May 2002	20	1	Chamois Niortais	v. Lesotho; 21 November 2023
MF	Rodrigue Kossi	(2000-07-11) 11 July 2000	12	0	Al-Taraji Club	v. Lesotho; 21 November 2023
MF	Stéphane Adégbè	(2004-05-04) 4 May 2004	2	0	Smouha	v. Senegal; 17 June 2023
MF	Loïc Kpadonou	(2003-04-08) 8 April 2003	2	0	Chabab Mohammédia	v. Senegal; 17 June 2023
MF	Babatunde Ogunlade	(2000-07-11) 11 July 2000	1	0	Club Africain	v. Senegal; 17 June 2023
MF	Jean Gbedji	(2006-07-20) 20 July 2006	0	0	ASVO Benin	v. Senegal; 17 June 2023
MF	Jordan Adéoti	(1989-03-12) 12 March 1989	47	1	Laval	v. Rwanda; 29 March 2023
MF	Salim Bawa	(1998-06-26) 26 June 1998	5	0	Coton Sport	v. Rwanda; 29 March 2023
FW	Steve Traoré	(1998-02-18) 18 February 1998	3	0	Lokomotiv Sofia	v. Lesotho; 21 November 2023
FW	Stéphane Sessègnon	(1984-06-01) 1 June 1984	89	24	Sirens	v. Lesotho; 21 November 2023
FW	Tosin Aiyegun	(1998-06-28) 28 June 1998	12	3	Zürich	v. Lesotho; 21 November 2023
FW	David Tchétchao	(2003-09-29) 29 September 2003	1	0	ASVO	v. Madagascar; 17 October 2023
FW	Marcellin Koukpo	(1995-04-06) 6 April 1995	20	2	Constantine	v. Mozambique; 9 September 2023
FW	Christophe Kpérékou	(2005-04-13) 13 April 2005	0	0	Everton	v. Senegal; 17 June 2023
FW	Michel Agbogba	(2002-07-11) 11 July 2002	0	0	Caen	v. Senegal; 17 June 2023
FW	Angel Chibozo	(2003-07-01) 1 July 2003	2	0	Real Murcia	v. Rwanda; 29 March 2023

Player records

As of 26 March 2024

Players in bold are still active with Benin.

Stéphane Sessègnon is Benin's top goalscorer and their most capped player.

Most appearances

Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Stéphane Sessègnon	89	24	2004–present
2	Khaled Adénon	85	2	2006–present
3	Mickaël Poté	69	10	2008–2022
4	Jodel Dossou	61	9	2013–present
5	Damien Chrysostome	58	0	2002–2011
6	Jocelyn Ahouéya	55	3	2003–2013
	Razak Omotoyossi	55	21	2004–2016
8	Romuald Boco	52	1	2004–2013
9	Séïdath Tchomogo	51	4	2003–2014
	Steve Mounié	51	16	2015–present

Top goalscorers

Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Stéphane Sessègnon	24	89	0.27	2004–present
2	Razak Omotoyossi	21	55	0.38	2004–2016
3	Steve Mounié	16	51	0.31	2015–present
4	Oumar Tchomogo	15	34	0.44	1995–2008
5	Mickaël Poté	10	69	0.14	2008–2022
6	Jodel Dossou	9	61	0.15	2013–present
7	Moussa Latoundji	6	21	0.29	1993–2004
	Mouritala Ogunbiyi	6	47	0.13	1998–2019
9	Léon Bessan	5	20	0.25	1995–2007
	Anicet Adjamossi	5	48	0.1	2002–2013

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup										Qualification
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1958	Not a FIFA member; part of France									Not a FIFA member; part of France
as Dahomey										as Dahomey
1962	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1966 and 1970	Did not enter									Did not enter
1974	Did not qualify									3	0	0	3	1	10
as / Benin										as / Benin
1978 and 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										12	7	1	4	18	14
2014										6	2	2	2	8	9
2018										2	1	0	1	2	3
2022										6	3	1	2	5	4
2026	To be determined									2	0	1	1	1	2
2030										To be determined
2034
Total	−	0/15	−	−	−	−	−	−		52	16	8	28	52	95

Africa Cup of Nations

Main article: Benin at the Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1957	Part of France
1959
1962	Not affiliated to CAF
1963
1965	Did not enter
1968
1970
1972	Did not qualify
1974	Withdrew
1976
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	Did not qualify
2023
2025	To be determined
2027
Total	Quarter-finals	4/33	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

External links

• Football au Bénin (in French)
• Benin at CAF
• Benin at FIFA
• Le miroir du football béninois! (in French)