Match Preview for Egypt v Benin
Aiming to keep away from one other round-of-16 exit on the Africa Cup of Nations, Group B winners Egypt face Benin on the Adrar Stadium on Monday with a spot within the quarter-finals at stake.
Hossam Hassan’s facet arrive as sturdy favourites after recording consecutive clear sheets within the group stage, whereas Benin are showing within the knockout part for simply the second time of their AFCON historical past.
The Pharaohs edged previous Bafana Bafana 1-0 regardless of being decreased to 10 males after which performed out a goalless draw with the Palancas Negras of their last group match.
Nevertheless, the underlying numbers counsel a extra nuanced image. Egypt conceded 18 photographs towards South Africa and allowed Angola 16 makes an attempt of their last group fixture, figures that time to sustained stress in each contests.
Context is vital, although. In opposition to South Africa, Egypt spent all the second half a person down, with Hugo Broos’s facet registering 17 of their 18 photographs after the break. In the meantime, the goalless draw with Angola noticed Hassan rotate his squad closely, prioritising freshness forward of the knockout rounds.
Even with these caveats, Monday’s encounter represents a real take a look at for the seven-time champions, who’re looking for to keep away from one other early elimination following their last-16 exits at AFCON 2019 on house soil and on the earlier match in Ivory Coast.
Benin method the competition with little stress, having already exceeded expectations by progressing as one of many 4 greatest third-placed groups. Gernot Rohr’s facet superior from a troublesome group containing Senegal and DR Congo, with qualification secured due to a slim 1-0 win over Botswana.
That victory, sealed by Yohan Roche’s Twenty eighth-minute objective, marked Benin’s first-ever 90-minute win on the Africa Cup of Nations finals, a landmark second within the nation’s footballing historical past.
Staff information for Egypt v Benin
Egypt are anticipated to recall a number of key attacking gamers after rotating within the last group match. Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush and Trezeguet ought to all return to the beginning XI to spearhead the Pharaohs’ frontline.
Salah has already scored twice on the match, whereas Marmoush has added the opposite objective, underlining their significance to Egypt’s attacking menace. Trezeguet, who performed a significant function in qualifying with 4 objectives and one help, remains to be trying to find his first direct objective contribution on the finals.
Mohamed Hany can be set to return after serving a one-match suspension following his crimson card towards South Africa. Nevertheless, Mohanad Lasheen stays a doubt after being compelled off with an obvious harm within the draw with Angola.
Benin might be with out Sessi D’Almeida because of harm, whereas Abdoul Rachid Moumini is suspended after accumulating yellow playing cards. Steve Mounie, Junior Olaitan and Aiyegun Tosin are anticipated to hold the attacking accountability.
Olaitan and Mounie had been concerned in 5 objectives throughout qualification, with Olaitan offering two assists, making him a key inventive outlet for the West African facet.
Anticipated line-ups for Egypt v Benin
Egypt: El Shenawy; Hany, Ibrahim, Rabia, Hamdi; Attia, Fathy, Zizo; Salah, Marmoush, Trezeguet
Benin: Dandjinou; Ouorou, Verdon, Tijani, Roche; Imourane, Attidjikou; Tosin, Dodo, Olaitan; Mounie
Learn how to watch Nigeria v Mozambique: TV channel, dwell on-line stream
Kick-off on Monday is at 16:00 UK time. Within the UK, dwell AFCON 2025 protection is on Channel 4’s 4seven, All 4 and YouTube channel. Within the USA, beIN Sports activities is the match broadcaster.
On-line dwell streaming is obtainable on an enormous vary of gadgets by Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports activities app.
The stats for Egypt v Benin
• Egypt have stored clear sheets in each of their final two AFCON matches
• The Pharaohs conceded 34 photographs mixed throughout their last two group video games
• Egypt have scored three objectives at AFCON 2025, with Salah netting two of them
• Benin certified as one of many 4 greatest third-placed groups
• The win over Botswana was Benin’s first-ever 90-minute victory at AFCON finals
• Benin failed to attain in two of their three group-stage matches
Prediction
Benin deserve credit score for reaching the knockout phases and for securing a historic group-stage win, however the step up in high quality on Monday is important.
With Salah and Marmoush main the assault and a transparent goal to keep away from one other early exit, Egypt ought to have an excessive amount of high quality and expertise for the Cheetahs over 90 minutes.
