Benin, who played out a 1-1 draw against Niger, have attained some valuable insight for the Cheetahs as they continue preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Played in Casablanca, Morocco, during the FIFA international window, the match offered head coach Gernot Rohr an opportunity to assess several younger players in the absence of a number of established members of his squad.
While the result itself carried little significance, the performance has sparked discussion among football observers in Benin about the direction of the national team and the areas that require improvement before competitive fixtures resume.
One of the strongest positives to emerge from the match was the willingness of Rohr to trust younger players.
Player manager Mafouz Owolabi Tovidegnon praised the coach’s decision to hand opportunities to emerging talent, believing the experience could prove beneficial for the team’s future development.
“We saw that coach Gernot Rohr, in the absence of his key players, put his faith in the youngsters. That’s a good thing.”
According to Tovidegnon, the young players showed courage and demonstrated encouraging potential despite the team’s inability to secure victory.
He acknowledged that the overall display did not reach the standards Benin produced during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, particularly in terms of structure and ball circulation.
However, he emphasized that the purpose of friendly matches extends beyond the final scoreline.
“In a friendly match, it’s not the result that counts, but what each player has offered.”
Not everyone was fully convinced by the performance, however.
Football analyst and scout Serge Agoli Agbo described the display as disappointing, particularly after what he considered stronger performances during the previous FIFA international window.
Despite his concerns, Agbo identified several bright spots within the squad.
He singled out Liam Omore for praise, highlighting the youngster’s technical quality, confidence in possession, and attacking intent throughout the game.
He also commended goalscorer Amiro Amadou, the son of former Benin international Amadou Moudachirou, for making a positive contribution.
Yet Agbo believes Benin’s biggest problems emerged in midfield.
With experienced figures unavailable, he argued that the team lacked leadership and control in central areas. He pointed specifically to the absence of Sessi d’Almeida and questioned whether other midfielders had done enough to fill the void.
“When you are unable to produce play with midfielders who are afraid of the ball […], it is undeniable that after 45 minutes, you have run out of steam.”
The analyst also questioned some tactical decisions made during the match.
He expressed surprise at seeing Yamirou Ouorou, who has enjoyed strong form with AC Horsens following their promotion to the Danish Superliga, deployed as a striker rather than in his natural attacking midfield role. Agbo additionally raised concerns about the selection of Romaric Amoussou in the starting line-up, noting that the player endured a difficult season with ASEC Mimosas.
Instead, he called for greater trust in emerging talents such as Yamirou Ouorou and Sahid N’gobi.
“It’s the current form that counts.”
