The sixth and final matchday of the qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will be played between March 22 and 24, marking a decisive moment for several national teams still chasing a place at the continental showpiece in Egypt. Among the most anticipated fixtures of this final round is the West African derby between Benin and Togo, scheduled for Sunday in Cotonou, a clash that could determine which of the two neighbors earns the coveted qualification ticket for Egypt 2019.
In Group D, the situation remains finely balanced despite Algeria having already secured their place at the tournament. Benin currently occupy a favorable position in the standings, sitting two points ahead of both Togo and The Gambia. This narrow advantage gives the Squirrels a clear objective: a victory at home would guarantee their qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations, regardless of results elsewhere. However, the margin for error is slim. A draw could prove dangerous if The Gambia manage to win their own match, a scenario that would see Benin drop to third place and miss out on qualification. A defeat, on the other hand, would allow Togo to leapfrog both Benin and The Gambia, sealing their own place in Egypt at the expense of their neighbors.
Fully aware of what is at stake, the Benin Squirrels have approached this final matchday with focus and determination. The players know that qualification will not come easily and that only a strong collective performance will allow them to reach their goal. The importance of March 24 is not lost on the squad, who understand that ninety minutes could define an entire campaign.
Among those leading the message of confidence within the group is defender Olivier Verdon. At the end of Benin’s first training session ahead of the derby, the Sochaux center-back spoke about the team’s mindset and preparations. He stressed the calm confidence running through the squad, emphasizing that the players have sufficient time to prepare properly for the challenge ahead. “We have a lot of confidence in ourselves. We have six days to prepare. Next Sunday, we will be ready,” Verdon said.
Playing at home in Cotonou is seen as a major advantage for Benin, and Verdon underlined the importance of the fans in such a high-stakes encounter. He expressed his belief that the support from the stands could make the difference in a tightly contested derby. “Plus, we’re at home. With the fans, we’re going to do it,” he added, pointing to the extra motivation drawn from playing in front of their own supporters.
Beyond tactics and preparation, Verdon highlighted the unity and solidarity within the squad as one of Benin’s greatest strengths. For him, the collective spirit of the group goes beyond football. “It’s the team that will do the talking for us on Sunday. We are a really solid team. And before being players, first and foremost we are a family. We are all brothers. We share the same blood,” he concluded.
As kickoff approaches, anticipation continues to build in Cotonou and beyond. With qualification hanging in the balance, the Benin–Togo derby promises intensity, emotion, and drama, as both nations fight to keep their Africa Cup of Nations dream alive.
