Benin’s African Cup of Nations Draw

November 22nd, 2009 | by: shane | Comments Off

The draw for the 2010 African Cup of Nations was made in Angola on Friday. Benin, who are participating for just the third time, though it the third time in four editions, were placed into pot 3 alongside World Cup qualifiers Algeria, Togo and Zambia. The following is a rundown of their opponents:

From pot 1 Benin drew the two-time defending champions and six times champions overall Egypt. This Egyptian side has clearly been the class of the Nations Cup for the last four years now. However, once again they have failed to qualify for the World Cup following a 1-0 defeat to Algeria in a one game playoff last Wednesday. Since then the Egyptian football federation has threatened to withdraw from international football and continue their juvenile war with World Cup dream crushers Algeria. No one would argue that Egypt have a superior side in comparison to Benin but it remains to be seen how Egypt recover from the heartbreak of the Algeria defeat. Will they go to Angola ready to defend their title or will they still be dwelling on their continued World Cup failure. At the end of the day nothing Egypt do in Angola will change the fact that for now they are known as World Cup chokers. The sides inability to qualify for the World Cup will over shadow any Nations Cup success they have until they can finally make it back to the World Cup. Egypt could be ripe for an upset at the hands of Benin or they could be in all conquering Nations Cup form. I think it will be somewhere in the middle which means a result is certainly within Benin’s reach.

Out of pot 2 Benin drew perennial World Cup qualifiers Nigeria who somewhat miraculously qualified for South Africa after an away win in Kenya coupled with a Mozambique victory over Tunisia. Benin faced Nigeria in the last Nations Cup in Ghana in the final match of the group stages. Nigeria were victors in that match by a 2-0 scoreline. That was not a particularly inspiring Nigeria side, though this current Nigerian side is also filled with flaws despite the abundance of talent. Again though, like with Egypt, Nigeria are a superior side. Plus the Nigerians should be motivated to show that they are truly back to being one of the juggernauts of African football and they can do so by claiming their third Nations Cup title. It will be a very tough ask for Benin to get a result in this match but with Nigeria routinely putting in Jekyll & Hyde performances mean Benin will be in with a chance.

And finally out of pot 4 Benin drew the aforementioned Mozambique. The Mozambicans are currently honorary Nigerians for their role in sending Nigeria to the World Cup. Mozambique are making their first appearance in the Nations Cup since 1998 and just their 4th appearance overall so they will be looking for a strong performance after such a long wait. Mozambique like Benin have never made it out of the group stages but unlike Benin they have won a solitary point coming in 1-1 draw with Tunisia all the way back in 1996. They have lost every other match they have contested so like Benin they will be gunning for their first ever Nations Cup win. And both sides will see their match against each other as the prime opportunity to notch their first ever win. Mozambique were a most impressive side at home in World Cup qualifying as neither Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria or Tunisia were able to leave Mozambique with three points. Their away side was less impressive though losing all three away matches in the final stage though they did win away in Botswana and draw in Madagascar in the previous stage, though those two countries are both minnows. So the question with Mozambique will be can they only perform at home or will they be a formidable side on neutral soil as well. Whatever the answer this is certainly the game that Benin will see as their best opportunity at picking up a historic first ever Nations Cup win.

Here is Benin’s match schedule in the group stages:

12 January in Benguela vs. Mozambique
16 January in Benguela vs. Nigeria
20 January in Benguela vs. Egypt

The order of matches for Benin is favorable as they if can defeat Mozambique in the first match then they will certainly be in contention for the knockouts and a draw against one of the group heavyweights could be enough. If Benin are to shock the continent and make it out of the group they would face one of the following four teams in the Quarterfinals: Cameroon, Gabon, Tunisia or Zambia.