• AFCON 2025

• Sportsbeat Correspondent 2 months ago

Egypt are favourites as Benin seek an upset against record champions in Round of 16 clash

Egypt will look to continue their steady Africa Cup of Nations campaign when they face Benin in a Round of 16 knockout match on Monday night in Morocco.

The game will be played at the Grande Stade d’Agadir, with kick-off set for 7:00pm East Africa Time, as the tournament moves into its most decisive stage. It is a clash between Africa’s most successful football nation and a Benin side hoping to write a rare chapter of history.

Egypt arrive as clear favourites, but recent performances suggest they will not take Benin lightly. The Pharaohs topped their group without losing, beating Zimbabwe and South Africa before settling for a cautious 0-0 draw against Angola in their final group match.

That goalless draw slightly slowed the momentum, but Egypt’s strength lies in control, discipline, and experience rather than free-flowing attacking football. In their last five matches across all competitions, Egypt have scored five goals and conceded just two, highlighting a team built on solid organisation.

They have also kept clean sheets in two of their three AFCON group games and are unbeaten in 17 competitive senior international matches. It is a record that underlines their consistency and calmness in high-pressure tournament football.

Team news also favours Egypt. Captain Mohamed Salah has made a big impact despite limited minutes, scoring both of Egypt’s winning goals in the tournament so far, including a dramatic late strike against Zimbabwe.

Omar Marmoush has added pace and directness in attack, while the defensive unit has looked settled and reliable. There are no major injury concerns, giving the technical bench stability heading into the knockout rounds.

Benin’s route to the last 16 has been more difficult. They qualified with just one group-stage win, edging Botswana 1-0, while suffering defeats to DR Congo and Senegal. Their recent form raises concern, with only two goals scored and nine conceded in their last five matches in all competitions.

The West Africans have struggled to create chances, failing to score in four of those five games. Their away and neutral-ground record has also been challenging, often forcing them to sit deep and defend for long periods.

Defensively, Benin have shown discipline and resilience. Left-back Yohan Roche scored the crucial goal that secured qualification, while centre-back Olivier Verdon has impressed with his defensive work and leadership. However, the lack of consistent attacking threats remains their biggest weakness.

Historically, meetings between Egypt and Benin have favoured the Pharaohs, especially in competitive matches. Egypt’s superior tournament experience, squad depth, and game management give them a clear edge. V

Benin are expected to adopt a compact, counter-attacking approach, aiming to frustrate Egypt and keep the scoreline tight. But with Egypt’s defensive strength and the presence of match-winners like Salah, it is difficult to see Benin breaking through.

All signs point to a controlled Egyptian performance rather than a high-scoring game.