The Amazones seniors, Benin's women's national football team, are currently in the midst of their preparation for a crucial double confrontation against Mali. This match is part of the qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Under the guidance of interim coach Ouzérou Abdoulaye, the team has been working tirelessly. Following an initial week of training focused on local players, the team is now set to face a more experienced Malian side.
Coach Ouzérou Abdoulaye expressed satisfaction with the team's progress after the first phase of preparation. Initially, there were concerns about the team's physical readiness due to the heterogeneous nature of the squad. Some players had recently participated in the U20 World Cup, while others had just finished their domestic league or were engaged in the Champions League. Fortunately, the team's physical condition turned out to be better than expected, and technical skills are also evolving positively.
The team's strategy involved calling up local players for the initial phase, with two main objectives. First, to work with players who are accustomed to being called up to the national team. Second, to give an opportunity to a few new players who had not previously been part of the senior team. This allowed the coaching staff to assess their behavior, adaptability, and real level in a more demanding environment.
Coach Abdoulaye emphasized that the new players may not necessarily be ready for a match against Mali. Several of them are still very young, with some under 20 years old. The goal is to gradually acclimate them to the senior team environment, allowing them to become familiar with the team's requirements, training rhythm, and international football intensity.
The Malian team is considered a tough opponent, having participated in the last Africa Cup of Nations and boasting several players who compete in France. Coach Abdoulaye acknowledged that his team needs to evolve at their own pace and not just compare themselves to others. The ambition is to take their place among top African teams, which requires competing against and learning from stronger opponents.
Benin's strategy of facing top African teams in recent months is a deliberate one. Over the last 18 months, they have played against eight teams ranked in the top 10 in Africa. This approach is designed to help them integrate into the top 10 and regularly measure themselves against stronger teams to learn and progress.
The upcoming match against Mali is part of this strategy. Coach Abdoulaye believes that to achieve their goals, the team must be willing to compete against top teams and not be intimidated by the challenge. This mentality is crucial for their growth and progress in women's football.
Key points
- Benin's women's football team faces Mali in the 2028 Olympics qualifiers.
- Coach Ouzérou Abdoulaye focuses on developing local talent and preparing the team for top-level competition.
- The team adopts a strategy of competing against stronger opponents to improve and integrate into the top 10 in African women's football.
