Benin's national football team, Les Guépards du Bénin, will prioritize their qualification matches for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2027) over an upcoming friendly against Argentina. This strategic decision means Les Guépards du Bénin will play their qualification matches for CAN 2027 before facing Argentina. The highly anticipated match against Argentina is scheduled for October 6 in Buenos Aires, but the team will play their key qualifiers first. Coach Gernot Rohr stated, "Ce sera une expérience fantastique, pas seulement pour les jeunes, mais pour tous les joueurs et tout le staff," regarding the potential encounter with the reigning world champions. This strategic decision by the team, under Rohr's guidance, emphasizes competitive fixtures ahead of exhibition games, showing the importance of securing a spot in the continental tournament.
Upcoming Fixtures and Squad News
The Guépards are scheduled to begin regrouping on September 20 for available players, with those still involved with their clubs joining the squad the following day, September 21. These September matches have been confirmed by the Confédération africaine de football as part of the CAN 2027 qualifiers, noting their official status and significance. For these key fixtures, captain Steve Mounié will be unavailable due to injury, a significant blow to the team's attacking options, and Olivier Verdon is suspended, further impacting the squad's defensive strength.
The team plans to conduct a preparation camp in Abidjan before traveling to Burkina Faso for their initial qualifier. Following the match against Burkina Faso, the squad is expected to return to Côte d'Ivoire to face Mauritania. The friendly match against Argentina, which is being de-prioritized, is set to take place at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, a venue renowned for its rich footballing history.
Context and Coach's Strategy
Coach Gernot Rohr has a history of facing Argentina, having led Nigeria against them twice, including one encounter during a World Cup. Rohr reportedly still possesses a Lionel Messi jersey obtained during one of these past matches, a testament to his previous high-profile encounters. Messi himself is expected to join the Argentina squad for the friendly against Benin, following their matches against Bolivia on September 30 and Burkina Faso on October 3. FIFA has confirmed that Lionel Messi is expected to play his last match with the Argentine national team on this occasion, adding an extraordinary layer of historical significance to the friendly. The Benin team has been unable to host matches regularly in their home country for approximately three years, adding a layer of complexity to their fixture planning and often requiring them to play 'home' games in neutral venues. Rohr emphasized that participation in the Argentina friendly would be contingent on performance, stating, "the third match in Argentina will only be for those who fought well in the previous two matches." This friendly was announced after Lionel Messi confirmed his international retirement at the end of August, making the fixture a poignant farewell for the football icon.
Coach Rohr's Perspective
The Guépards are scheduled to face Burkina Faso on September 25, followed by a match against Mauritania on September 29. Coach Gernot Rohr has emphasized the significance of these two fixtures, stating they are the most important for the team, given their direct impact on CAN 2027 qualification. The current list of 25 players for these qualifiers includes a new addition, attacker Joseph Ede Oloko. Oloko has had a productive season with Liepaja, contributing 26 goals and six assists, making him a promising new talent for the national squad. Meanwhile, FIFA has confirmed that Lionel Messi is expected to play his final match with the Argentine national team during the friendly against Benin, marking a historic moment for both teams.
