CAN 2025: despite being eliminated by Egypt, Gernot Rohr sees a stronger Benin team.
Eliminated in the round of 16 after an extra-time defeat to Egypt (3-1), Benin leaves the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 with honors. At the end of the match, the Beninese coach and Jodel Dossou expressed pride in a combative squad, despite the disappointment of the elimination.
SUMMARY
Moved but lucid, the Leopards’ coach insisted on the total commitment of his players. “Honestly, I am proud of my team that gave everything. There were injuries, fighting, exhaustion and, of course, frustration at the end. That’s also what football is about,” he said.
The scorer of Benin’s equalizer in regulation time, Jodel Dossou, also expressed a shared sentiment after the match. Aware of the disappointment linked to the elimination, the forward mainly highlighted the Leopards’ collective performance, capable of pushing Egypt to extra time.
His goal, Benin’s first in this knockout phase, fueled the hope of a historic upset. His goal rewarded a period of Beninese dominance and rekindled a match that seemed to be headed toward a short Egyptian victory. But facing fatigue and Egyptian control in extra time, the Leopards finally ceded. “This is the second time Benin has exited the group stage and shown an interesting face at the CAN. There are very good players behind them, who work and will come back stronger,” he said.
A tense match
The first half is marked by Egypt’s territorial domination, without real clear chances. Benin, well organized defensively, closes the spaces and counters. At halftime, the score remains 0-0.
After the break, the Egyptian pressure intensifies. In the 69th minute, Marwan Attia opens the scoring with a sumptuous long-range strike into the top corner (1-0). Egypt then thinks they have done the hard part.
But Benin does not give up. More enterprising, the Leopards take advantage of a moment of hesitation to equalize in the 83rd minute: lurking in the area, Jodel Dossou finishes after a chaotic situation in front of goal (1-1). The two teams neutralize each other until the final whistle of regulation time.
In extra time, the Egyptian experience makes the difference. In the 97th minute, Yasser Ibrahim adds the Pharaohs’ lead with a precise header (2-1). Benin then goes all out, exposing themselves to counterattacks. In stoppage time, Mohamed Salah seals the Egyptian qualification by finishing a one-on-one (3-1).
An elimination that carries hope
While the disappointment is real, Benin leaves this encounter with pride. Able to push Egypt to extra time, the Leopards confirm their progress on the continental stage. An encouraging foundation for upcoming international challenges, fueled by a unanimous message: proud to have given everything and confident they will come back stronger.
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