Benin aim to extend Group F lead against Central African Republic

Benin will look to strengthen their position at the top of Group F in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they host Central African Republic on Thursday, 12 November.

The Guepards have made a promising start to the campaign, taking a point from a 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso before beating Mauritania 2-1. They lead the group ahead of Burkina Faso on goal difference, with both teams on four points.

Benin’s recent progress follows their best performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. They recorded their first victory in the competition’s finals with a 1-0 win over Botswana and reached the knockout stage for only the second time in their history. Their run ended in the last 16 against Egypt, who won 3-1 after extra time.

Gernot Rohr’s side are unbeaten in their past three home matches, recording two victories and one draw. Although Thursday’s game will be played in Abidjan, rather than in Benin, the hosts will aim to take an advantage into the return fixture next week.

The main match predictions are a Benin win at 1.54, more than 2.5 goals at 2.10, and both teams to score at 2.15. The forecast is for Benin to win 2-1, with an exact-score price of 8.00 on Betclic.

Central African Republic are still seeking a first appearance at an Africa Cup of Nations finals. They narrowly missed out on qualification in 2021 and 2023, but this campaign has begun with two defeats: 3-1 against Mauritania and 1-0 against Burkina Faso. Those results leave the Fauves bottom of Group F.

Their preparations have been further complicated by the appointment of Moroccan Abdelaziz Kerkache as head coach less than a week before this important away fixture. He replaces Eloge Enza-Yamissi and takes charge of a team that has not won since October last year. Central African Republic have won only one of their past seven away matches, losing five.

Benin’s qualifying record is a draw and a win, while their overall form reads draw, defeat, draw, win, defeat. Central African Republic’s qualifying form is two defeats, and their last five matches in all competitions have produced one win followed by four losses.

Rohr will be without captain and striker Steve Mounie because of injury, but 16-year-old Parfait Faton has received his first senior call-up. Marcel Dandjinou is expected to retain his place in goal behind a back four of Charlemagne Azongnitode, Yohan Roche, Mohamed Tijani and Tamimou Ouorou.

Sessi D’Almeida and Hassane Imourane are likely to provide balance in midfield, while Rodolfo Aloko is expected to start after scoring twice in the win against Mauritania.

Central African Republic midfielder Venuste Baboula is a major doubt with an ankle sprain and could be rested for the return match. Kerkache is still becoming familiar with his squad and is expected to retain much of the team that started the narrow defeat by Mauritania.

Benin are 56 places above their opponents in the FIFA rankings, occupying 89th place compared with Central African Republic’s 145th. With greater continuity and a settled team, the Guepards are backed to claim a 2-1 victory.