Benin: After the draw in Ouagadougou, the Cheetahs target Mauritania before Argentina

Benin launched its 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw on the pitch of Burkina Faso on September 25, 2026, in Ouagadougou. Lassina Traoré opened the scoring for the Stallions before Aiyegun Tosin brought the Cheetahs level, report Burkina24 and Bénin Web TV. It was a point snatched away from home against one of the heavyweights of the West African zone.

The next step comes quickly: the Cheetahs will face Mauritania on September 29, 2026, also for the qualifiers. Two matches in four days that will weigh heavily in a group where every point counts, as the qualifying format leaves no room for error.

The Buenos Aires appointment

Beyond the AFCON, one date is on every Beninese mind: October 6, 2026, at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, against Argentina. Argentina will also host Burkina Faso at the same venue on October 3, indicates La Nouvelle Tribune, citing the Argentine press. Two African teams invited back-to-back to one of the most legendary stadiums in South America.

The Argentine press mentions a public tribute to Lionel Messi during this series of friendlies, but his participation is not officially confirmed, the same media outlet specifies. Beninese coach Gernot Rohr himself refused to be distracted: "The most important thing is the two matches that come before," he declared, while describing the trip to Argentina as a "fantastic experience" for his group.

Twenty-five players and three years away from home

Rohr has selected 25 players for this window, without his captain Steve Mounié, who is injured, or Olivier Verdon, who is suspended. Striker Joseph Ede Oloko, credited with 26 goals and 6 assists this season according to La Nouvelle Tribune, is among those called up.

However, one figure summarizes the fragility of the situation: according to La Nouvelle Tribune, Benin has not played an official match at home for three years. A team that is progressing on the pitch but remains deprived of its fans due to a lack of available infrastructure. Going to challenge Argentina at the Monumental is a source of pride; being able to host Argentina in Cotonou one day would be a victory of a different order.

The immediate answer will come on September 29 against Mauritania, then on October 6 in Argentina.