The Benin national team, known as the Guépards, secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso at the Stade du 4-Août in Ouagadougou on September 25, 2026. The match was part of the first day of Group F in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Burkina Faso took the lead through a penalty by Lassina Traoré in the 22nd minute, but Benin equalized in the 69th minute via a penalty converted by Tosin Aiyegun.
The match started with Burkina Faso dominating the proceedings, creating several scoring opportunities. The Burkinabè team, led by coach Amir Abdou, was bolstered by the return of key players, including Ousseni Bouda, who played alongside Traoré in attack. Benin, on the other hand, was without their defensive leader Olivier Verdon and struggled to create clear chances in the first half. Junior Olaitan was one of the few bright spots for Benin, causing problems for the Burkinabè defense with his pace.
The second half saw Benin come out more aggressively, and their persistence paid off in the 66th minute when they were awarded a penalty. Aiyegun converted the spot-kick three minutes later, leveling the score at 1-1. The draw marked a significant result for Benin, who are looking to make a strong impression in the qualifiers. The team will face Mauritania on September 29 in their next match.
The draw also marked a decent start for Burkina Faso, who had been warned by coach Abdou about the dangers of underestimating their opponents. Abdou had emphasized the need for his team to be serious and take all opponents lightly. The Burkinabè team made some forced changes in the second half, with Rachid Kouda and Axel Taonsa being replaced due to injuries.
The result was part of a larger picture in the CAN 2027 qualifiers, with several other matches taking place on the same day. The Côte d'Ivoire dominated Ghana 2-0, while Cameroon beat the Comoros 3-1. The Democratic Republic of Congo also secured a 2-0 win over Equatorial Guinea, and Tunisia was held to a 1-1 draw by Uganda.
The qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will continue until March 2027, with the final phase scheduled to take place in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from June 19 to July 17, 2027. Group F, which includes Benin, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and the Central African Republic, will distribute two qualifying spots. The next matches for Benin and Burkina Faso are scheduled for September 28 and 29, respectively.
The draw marked a significant result for both teams, with Benin looking to build on their momentum and Burkina Faso seeking to improve their chances of qualifying. The Burkinabè team had reached the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, while Benin had reached the quarterfinals in 2019 and the round of 16 in 2025. The two teams will face stiff competition in the qualifiers, but the draw has given them a crucial point to build on.
Key points
- Benin secured a 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso in the CAN 2027 qualifiers.
- The match was part of Group F, which also includes Mauritania and the Central African Republic.
- The qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will continue until March 2027.
