Benin national football team facts for kids
Nickname(s) | Les Guépards (The Cheetahs) Formerly: Les Ecureuils (The Squirrels) |
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Association | Benin Football Federation | ||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | ||
Sub-confederation | WAFU (West Africa) | ||
Head coach | Gernot Rohr | ||
Captain | Steve Mounié | ||
Most caps | Stéphane Sessègnon (89) | ||
Top scorer | Stéphane Sessègnon (24) | ||
Home stadium | Stade de l'Amitié | ||
FIFA code | BEN | ||
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FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 94 ![]() |
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Highest | 59 (November–December 2009, April 2010) | ||
Lowest | 165 (July 1996) | ||
Elo ranking | |||
Current | 107 ![]() |
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Highest | 56 (December 1964) | ||
Lowest | 165 (13 May 1995) | ||
First international | |||
![]() ![]() (Dahomey; 8 November 1959) |
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Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Abidjan, Ivory Coast; 27 December 1961) |
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Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Nigeria; 28 November 1959) |
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Africa Cup of Nations | |||
Appearances | 5 (first in 2004) | ||
Best result | Quarter-finals (2019) |
The Benin national football team, also known as Les Guépards (The Cheetahs), plays for Benin in international men's association football games. The team is managed by the Benin Football Federation. Before 1975, when Benin was called the Republic of Dahomey, the team was known as Dahomey.
Benin joined FIFA in 1962 and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 1969. They have never played in the FIFA World Cup. However, they have competed in the Africa Cup of Nations five times: in 2004, 2008, 2010, 2019, and they have qualified for the 2025 tournament. In these tournaments, they have never finished in the top two of their group stage. Benin holds a special record: they are the first team to reach the quarter-finals of an Africa Cup of Nations without winning a single match in the tournament.
Contents
Team History
Benin played its first official international match on November 8, 1959. They lost 1–0 to Nigeria. This game happened before Benin became an independent country on August 1, 1960.
Benin first qualified for the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations. They lost all three of their matches against South Africa, Morocco, and Nigeria. Their only goal was scored by Moussa Latoundji against Nigeria.
In the 2008 tournament, Benin again lost all their games. They played against Mali, the Ivory Coast, and Nigeria. They scored only one goal, by Razak Omotoyossi, in their 4–1 loss to the Ivory Coast.
For the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, Benin did well in the second round. They lost their first game to Angola but then won four matches in a row. This helped them qualify for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. At the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, Benin earned their first-ever point in the tournament by drawing with Mozambique. They then lost their other two matches to Nigeria and Egypt. After this, the Benin Football Federation made some changes to the team.
At the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Benin had a great run. They reached the quarter-finals, even though they only advanced as one of the best third-placed teams. They had a surprising win over Morocco in a penalty shootout. In the quarter-finals, they lost to Senegal, who ended up being the runners-up of the tournament.
Recent Matches
This section shows some of the recent games Benin has played.
Win Draw Loss
2024 Matches
23 March Friendly | Ivory Coast ![]() |
2–2 | ![]() |
Amiens, France |
17:00 UTC+1 |
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Stadium: Stade de la Licorne |
26 March Friendly | Senegal ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Amiens, France |
20:30 UTC+1 | Stadium: Stade de la Licorne Referee: Jérémie Pignard (France) |
6 June 2026 World Cup qualification | Benin ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
19:00 UTC±0 | Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Attendance: 3,600 Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania) |
10 June 2026 World Cup qualification | Benin ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
16:00 UTC±0 | Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon) |
7 September 2025 AFCON qualification | Nigeria ![]() |
3–0 | ![]() |
Uyo, Nigeria |
17:00 UTC+1 |
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Stadium: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Referee: Alamin Alhadi Mohamed (Sudan) |
10 September 2025 AFCON qualification | Benin ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
19:00 UTC±0 |
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Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Referee: Abdel Aziz Bouh (Mauritania) |
11 October 2025 AFCON qualification | Benin ![]() |
3–0 | ![]() |
Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
16:00 UTC±0 | Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Referee: Lyes Bekouassa (Algeria) |
15 October 2025 AFCON qualification | Rwanda ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Kigali, Rwanda |
18:00 UTC+2 | Stadium: Amahoro Stadium Referee: Andofetra Rakotojaona (Madagascar) |
25 October 2024 African Nations Championship qualification | Togo ![]() |
2–0 | ![]() |
Lomé, Togo |
16:00 UTC±0 | Stadium: Stade de Kégué |
2 November 2024 African Nations Championship qualification | Benin ![]() |
1–1 (1–3 agg.) |
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Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
17:00 UTC±0 | Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium | |||
Note: Benin lost 1–3 on aggregate. |
14 November 2025 AFCON qualification | Benin ![]() |
1–1 | ![]() |
Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
18:00 UTC±0 |
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Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal) |
18 November 2025 AFCON qualification | Libya ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
Tripoli, Libya |
17:00 UTC+2 | Stadium: Tripoli Stadium Referee: Patrice Milazar (Mauritius) |
Upcoming Matches in 2025
20 March 2026 World Cup qualification | Zimbabwe ![]() |
2–2 | ![]() |
Durban, South Africa |
18:00 UTC+2 | Stadium: Moses Mabhida Stadium Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia) |
25 March 2026 World Cup qualification | Benin ![]() |
0–2 | ![]() |
Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
16:00 UTC±0 | Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Attendance: 786 Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania) |
27 December 2025 AFCON GS | Benin ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Rabat, Morocco |
20:30 | Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex Stadium |
Team Staff
This table shows the people who help coach and manage the Benin national football team.
Past Coaches
Many coaches have led the Benin national team over the years. Here are some of them:
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)
Team Players
Current Players
These players were chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in March 2025.
The numbers for games played (caps) and goals scored are correct as of March 20, 2025, after the match against Zimbabwe.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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1 | GK | Marcel Dandjinou | 25 June 1998 | 13 | 0 | ![]() |
16 | GK | Saturnin Allagbé | 22 November 1993 | 45 | 0 | ![]() |
23 | GK | Serge Obassa | 30 June 1996 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
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2 | DF | Brandon Agounon | 19 October 1994 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
3 | DF | Tamimou Ouorou | 3 May 2003 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
4 | DF | Moïse Adiléhou | 1 November 1995 | 15 | 1 | ![]() |
5 | DF | Yohan Roche | 7 July 1997 | 17 | 1 | ![]() |
11 | DF | Rachid Moumini | 27 October 2004 | 18 | 1 | ![]() |
12 | DF | David Kiki | 25 November 1993 | 52 | 0 | ![]() |
13 | DF | Mohamed Tijani | 10 July 1997 | 16 | 1 | ![]() |
22 | DF | Rabiou Sankamao | 12 October 2003 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
DF | Rodrigue Fassinou | 22 May 1999 | 17 | 0 | ![]() |
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6 | MF | Gislain Ahoudo | 2 July 1999 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
7 | MF | Samadou Attidjikou | 2 February 2004 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
8 | MF | Hassane Imourane | 8 April 2003 | 18 | 1 | ![]() |
14 | MF | Mariano Ahouangbo | 16 November 2002 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
15 | MF | Sessi D'Almeida | 20 November 1995 | 40 | 1 | ![]() |
19 | MF | Dodo Dokou | 4 May 2004 | 17 | 2 | ![]() |
MF | Mattéo Ahlinvi | 2 July 1999 | 24 | 0 | ![]() |
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9 | FW | Steve Mounié | 29 September 1994 | 60 | 20 | ![]() |
10 | FW | Candas Fiogbé | 18 January 2005 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
17 | FW | Andréas Hountondji | 11 July 2002 | 14 | 2 | ![]() |
18 | FW | Junior Olaitan | 9 May 2002 | 31 | 4 | ![]() |
20 | FW | Jodel Dossou | 17 March 1992 | 67 | 9 | ![]() |
21 | FW | Steve Traoré | 18 February 1998 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
Other Players Called Up Recently
These players have also been called to play for Benin in the last year.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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GK | Mariano Tchinonvi | 29 July 2004 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Karim Abdoul Aziz | 13 August 2005 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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DF | Olivier Verdon | 5 October 1995 | 37 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Cédric Hountondji | 19 January 1994 | 31 | 2 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Youssouf Assogba | 21 August 2001 | 20 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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MF | Romaric Amoussou | 10 December 2000 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Ryan Adigo | 15 April 2001 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Lenny Pirringuel | 2 March 2004 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Ricardo Prince Dossou | 20 July 2006 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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FW | Tosin Aiyegun | 26 June 1998 | 18 | 3 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Samson Akinyoola | 3 March 2000 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | David Tchétchao | 29 September 2003 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Charbel Gomez | 27 January 2001 | 18 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
Player Records
These tables show the players who have played the most games and scored the most goals for Benin. Players in bold are still playing for the Benin national team.
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
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1 | Stéphane Sessègnon | 89 | 24 | 2004–2023 |
2 | Khaled Adénon | 86 | 2 | 2006–2023 |
3 | Mickaël Poté | 69 | 10 | 2008–2022 |
4 | Jodel Dossou | 67 | 10 | 2013–present |
5 | Steve Mounié | 59 | 19 | 2015–present |
6 | Damien Chrysostome | 58 | 0 | 2002–2011 |
7 | Jocelyn Ahouéya | 55 | 3 | 2003–2013 |
Razak Omotoyossi | 55 | 21 | 2004–2016 | |
9 | Romuald Boco | 52 | 1 | 2004–2013 |
David Kiki | 52 | 0 | 2015–present |
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
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1 | Stéphane Sessègnon | 24 | 89 | 0.27 | 2004–2023 |
2 | Razak Omotoyossi | 21 | 55 | 0.38 | 2004–2016 |
3 | Steve Mounié | 19 | 59 | 0.32 | 2015–present |
4 | Oumar Tchomogo | 15 | 34 | 0.44 | 1995–2008 |
5 | Jodel Dossou | 10 | 67 | 0.15 | 2013–present |
Mickaël Poté | 10 | 69 | 0.14 | 2008–2022 | |
7 | Moussa Latoundji | 6 | 21 | 0.29 | 1993–2004 |
Mouritala Ogunbiyi | 6 | 47 | 0.13 | 1998–2019 | |
Séïdath Tchomogo | 6 | 51 | 0.12 | 2003–2014 | |
10 | Léon Bessan | 5 | 20 | 0.25 | 1995–2007 |
Anicet Adjamossi | 5 | 48 | 0.1 | 2002–2013 |
Tournament History
This section shows how Benin has performed in major football tournaments.
FIFA World Cup
Benin has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup.
FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
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Not a FIFA member; part of France | Not a FIFA member; part of France | |||||||||||||
as ![]() |
as ![]() |
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Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | |||||||||||||
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Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 | ||||||||
as ![]() ![]() |
as ![]() ![]() |
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Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||
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Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 19 | ||||||||
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Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
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12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 26 | |||||||||
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12 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 14 | |||||||||
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6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 9 | |||||||||
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2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
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6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | |||||||||
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To be determined | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 7 | ||||||||
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To be determined | ||||||||||||||
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Total | − | 0/15 | − | − | − | − | − | − | 56 | 18 | 10 | 28 | 57 | 100 |
Africa Cup of Nations
Benin has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations five times. Their best result was reaching the quarter-finals in 2019.
Africa Cup of Nations record | ||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
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Part of ![]() |
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Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||
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Did not enter | |||||||
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Withdrew | |||||||
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Did not enter | |||||||
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Did not enter | |||||||
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Withdrew | |||||||
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Group stage | 16th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Group stage | 15th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
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14th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Quarter-finals | 8th | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Qualified | |||||||
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To be determined | |||||||
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Total | Quarter-finals | 5/35 | 14 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 24 |
Team Achievements
Regional Tournaments
- UEMOA Tournament
- Runners-up (1): 2013
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Benín para niños