The Benin Maracana team, also known as the Guépards, will be representing the country at the second edition of the Mara'Monde tournament in Douala, Cameroon, starting from September 25, 2025. The team is considered one of the favorites to win the Trophée Louan Bleu, the tournament's trophy. The Guépards will be participating with a significantly remade squad, comprising 80% new players.
Only three players from the team that reached the final of the first edition of the Mara'Monde tournament in Côte d'Ivoire in 2024 have been retained for the 2026 tournament. These players are Moumouni Salifou, Fafoumi Oladele Camille M. F. V, and Affo Gao Aboudou Taofik. Jean Elysée Zangon, who was part of the team in the previous tournament, has been assigned a new role as a physical preparer and assistant to the national selector, Yvan Léonce Mèdénou.
Despite the significant changes to the team, the Guépards do not lack international experience. Thirteen out of the 15 players selected for the tournament have participated in at least one international competition with the Benin team. Soule Abdou Fataou and Kotchoni Cédrique Abraham are the only two players who will be participating in their first international competition with the Benin team during the Mara' Monde 2026.
Ablo Darius is the most capped player in the team, with five international tournaments played for Benin, including the 2016, 2017, 2023, and 2025 Mara' Can tournaments, as well as the 2026 Mara'Monde tournament. Affo Gao Aboudou Taofik will be participating in his fourth international competition with the Benin team during the Mara' Monde 2026.
One notable absentee from the Benin team is Séverin Afouda, who was a standout player in the previous tournament, scoring ten goals and being named man of the match three times. His replacement will face a significant challenge in filling his shoes. The team comprises 15 players, including five juniors, seven seniors, and three super-seniors.
The selected players include Juniors: FAFOUMI Oladele Camille M. F. V, ALLABANI Saliou Balla, AO Sagbo Alexis, CHAONA Mouhamed Chamouss-Dine, and KOTO Rasack. Seniors: MOUMOUNI Salifou, AMON Jacques, BOKPE Yètègnon Ignace, SOULE Abdou Fataou, CHABI Marc Birnel, AFFO GAO Aboudou Taofik, and KOTCHONI Cédrique Abraham. Super-Seniors: AGONHOSSOU Louis Ireke, ABLO Darius, and FADONOUGBO Saturnin.
The Guépards will be looking to build on their vice-champion title from the previous tournament and make a strong impression in the 2026 Mara'Monde tournament. With a mix of experienced and new players, the team will aim to make their mark in the competition.
Key points
- The Benin Maracana team has been largely revamped for the 2026 Mara'Monde tournament, with 80% new players.
- Only three players from the previous tournament have been retained for the 2026 tournament.
- The team includes a mix of experienced and new players, with 13 out of 15 players having participated in at least one international competition with the Benin team.
