The Guépards du Bénin are set to launch their campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Can) qualifiers against the Étalons du Burkina Faso on September 25 at the Stade du 4 Août in Ouagadougou. This match marks the beginning of the qualifiers for both teams in Group F, which also includes Mauritania and the Central African Republic. The encounter promises to be an exciting one, as both teams seek to make a strong start to their campaign.
The Guépards will be without their captain, Steve Mounié, who is injured, and defender Olivier Verdon, who is suspended. However, the team has a mix of experienced and young players, including Junior Olaitan, Tosin Ayégun, Mohamed Tidjini, Yoan Roche, and Sessi d'Almeida, who have played in the last Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The team also welcomes new faces, such as Joseph Ede Oloko, who has been impressive in the FK Liepaja this season with 26 goals and six assists in 30 matches.
Joseph Ede Oloko's inclusion in the team has generated significant interest, and his performance will be closely watched. He will play alongside Yamirou Ouorou, who has been outstanding in the Danish championship. The Guépards' attack will need to find a way to breach the Burkinabè defense, which is expected to be solid.
The Étalons, on the other hand, will enjoy the support of their home crowd at the Stade du 4 Août, which is expected to be filled with enthusiastic fans. The team's coach, Amir Abdou, has retained several key players, including Edmond Tapsoba, Nasser Djiga, Issa Kaboré, Dango Ouattara, and Lassina Traoré. The Burkinabè team is determined to make a strong start to their campaign and use the home advantage to their benefit.
In the other match of Group F, Mauritania defeated the Central African Republic 3-1 on September 24. This result provides an early indication of the competitive nature of the group. The next matches in the group will take place on September 28 and 29, with the Étalons facing the Central African Republic and the Guépards hosting Mauritania.
The match between the Guépards and the Étalons is crucial in setting the tone for their campaign. The Guépards will need to be organized and make the most of their new attacking resources to secure a positive result against a well-established Burkinabè team.
The Can 2027 qualifiers will be a challenging journey for all teams, with six matchdays ahead. The Guépards and the Étalons will have to give their best to secure a spot in the tournament.
Key points
- The Guépards will be without captain Steve Mounié and defender Olivier Verdon due to injury and suspension.
- The Étalons will have the support of their home crowd at the Stade du 4 Août.
- The match is crucial in setting the tone for the Can 2027 qualifiers campaign for both teams.
