Benin face Central African Republic in crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier

Benin take on the Central African Republic on Thursday, 12 November 2026, in the third round of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with both teams needing a positive result for very different reasons.

The Guepards, who reached the last 16 at the previous Africa Cup of Nations, are unbeaten in Group F and currently lead the standings with four points. However, despite being listed as the home side, they will once again play away from Benin because they do not have a stadium that meets the required standards.

The match will be staged at the Felix-Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire – a venue that has become Benin’s preferred alternative home.

Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 local time in Abidjan (GMT). The game will begin at 20:00 in Benin, the Central African Republic and France.

Benin TV and Canal+ Sport Afrique (channel 4) are among the broadcasters listed for the match. There will be no television coverage in France.

Benin opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Burkina Faso before beating Mauritania 2-1. They have four points, the same as Burkina Faso, who play Mauritania on Friday.

The Central African Republic’s start has been considerably more difficult. The Fauves lost 3-1 to Mauritania in their opening match and then suffered a 1-0 defeat by Burkina Faso. With no points from their first two games, they have little margin for error.

Team news

Benin will be without captain Steve Mounie, who remains unavailable because of injury. They will, however, be able to call on Junior Olaitan, who has scored three goals and provided seven assists for Besiktas.

Manager Gernot Rohr has also recalled Mariano Ahouangbo and Romaric Amoussou to his squad. The most notable inclusion is 16-year-old Parfait Faton, the Paris FC midfielder and captain of the Guepards Under-17 side, who has received his first senior call-up.

Faton could also have the opportunity to discover the Paris FC professional squad during this international window.

The Central African Republic have yet to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations and made a late change in the hope of reviving their campaign. On 6 November, the Central African Football Federation confirmed that Moroccan coach Abdelaziz Kerkache had been appointed as manager, replacing Eloge Enza Yamissi.

Kerkache has had only a few days to settle into the role and prepare the team for the fixture.

His first squad, comprising 24 players, includes the return of two experienced options. Geoffrey Kondogbia, the Olympique de Marseille midfielder, and Louis Mafouta, the Le Mans striker, are back after missing the opening two qualifying matches.

Edwin Quarshie will not be available, with the defender suspended after accumulating yellow cards.