Benin Gears Up for Future with Friendlies Ahead of 2017 Africa Cup of Nations
Having recently secured qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, Benin is already preparing to strengthen its squad for upcoming competitions, with a clear focus on the 2017 tournament.
Under the guidance of French coach Didier Ollé Nicolle, the Squirrels of Benin are scheduled to face Tanzania in a friendly match on October 12 in Dar Es Salaam. This fixture is part of a broader strategy to build a more competitive team and gain valuable international experience ahead of future qualifiers.
Benin, whose last Africa Cup of Nations appearance came in 2010, is determined to re-establish itself as a regular contender on the continental stage. Augustin Ahouenvoebla, president of the Benin Football Federation, has signalled his commitment to this goal, aiming to intensify preparations through an increased number of friendly matches.
According to reports from afriquefootball.com, Ahouenvoebla intends to schedule further friendlies during the FIFA international window in November, giving goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbé and his teammates additional opportunities to test themselves against other African nations.
Beyond improving team cohesion, the federation is also targeting a rise in the FIFA rankings. A higher ranking could grant Benin a more favourable seeding in the draw for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, improving their chances of advancing to the finals.
With these plans in motion, Benin is clearly investing in the long-term development of its national team, hoping to build on its recent successes and become a formidable force in African football.
