Benin's national football team suffered a significant 5-1 defeat to Togo in a friendly match on June 9, 2026. The match saw Benin's Felipe Santos open the scoring early, finding the net in the 6th minute, giving his team an initial lead. However, Togo responded strongly, particularly in the second half, to secure their full victory. Togo's scoring began with an own goal from Benin, followed by four additional goals in the second half. Komlavi scored in the 57th minute, followed by Denkey in the 73rd minute, and Laba in the 87th minute, contributing to Benin's heavy loss. This result marked a challenging end to Benin's international fixtures during the June window.
Togo Match Details
The match against Togo was held at Stade El Bachir in Morocco, serving as a neutral venue for the West African derby. During the game, Togo equalized the score at 1-1 in the 38th minute when Benin's Mohamed Tijani unfortunately scored an own goal, shifting the momentum of the first half. This equalizer came after Benin had held their early advantage for over 30 minutes. The Benin team also faced a significant disadvantage, being reduced to ten men during the match, which further complicated their efforts against a resilient Togo side. The numerical disadvantage made it even harder for Benin to contain Togo's attacking plays, especially in the latter stages of the game. The four goals conceded in the second half showed the difficulties faced by the short-handed Beninese squad.
Niger Match Recap
Four days prior to their encounter with Togo, Benin played to a 1-1 draw with Niger on June 5. This match also took place in Morocco as part of the team's preparations. Amirou Amadou scored for Benin in the 35th minute, giving his team a lead that lasted for much of the game and suggesting a potential victory for the Squirrels. However, Niger managed to equalize the score in stoppage time, specifically in the 90+3rd minute, preventing Benin from securing a victory in the earlier fixture. The late equalizer from Niger noted a recurring challenge for Benin in maintaining leads during this international window. The June 5 match against Niger was part of Benin's preparations during the international window, preceding their subsequent encounter with Togo and providing initial insights into the team's form.
CAN 2027 Qualifying Context
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) conducted the draw for the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2027 qualifiers on May 19, 2026, setting the stage for future competitive matches. Benin was placed in Group F for the qualifying tournament, where they will compete against Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and the Central African Republic. This group draw means Benin will face a varied set of opponents as they vie for a spot in the prestigious continental tournament. The CAN 2027 finals are slated to be co-organized by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, marking a significant event for East African football. Matches are scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027, promising a month-long football spectacle. The initial qualifying matchdays for the tournament are set to occur between September 21 and October 6, 2026, giving Benin's technical staff and players a clear timeline to prepare for their competitive campaign. These upcoming qualifiers will provide the Benin national team with opportunities to translate their friendly match experiences into strong performances on the road to CAN 2027.
