AFCON 2025 Round of 16: Egypt vs Benin – Pharaohs Eye Quarter-Finals Amidst Cheetahs’ Upset Bid
The stage is set for a captivating encounter in the AFCON 2025 Round of 16 as seven-time champions Egypt lock horns with the determined Benin side. Taking place at the Stade Adrar in Agadir, Morocco, this clash pits the tournament’s most successful nation against a resilient underdog dreaming of a historic upset. While the Pharaohs aim to cement their dominance and continue their pursuit of an unprecedented eighth title, the Cheetahs are poised to challenge expectations, having already defied the odds to reach this stage.
Match Details at a Glance
- Fixture: Egypt vs Benin
- Competition
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AFCON 2025 – Round of 16 - Venue: Stade Adrar, Agadir, Morocco
- Date: Monday, January 5
- Kick-off: 5 p.m. local time (GMT+1)
- How to Watch: Live on beIN Sports (beIN MAX 1 & 2), Egyptian TV: ONTime Sports
Egypt’s Quest for an Eighth Crown
Under the astute guidance of coach Hossam Hassan, Egypt enters the knockout stage as Group B toppers, having secured seven points from victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, complemented by a draw against Angola. The Pharaohs’ squad boasts a formidable blend of experience and talent, spearheaded by Liverpool’s global superstar Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s dynamic Omar Marmoush in attack.
Despite their strong group-stage performance, which saw them concede only three goals, Hassan has cautioned his players against complacency. Key figures like Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan (Al Ahly) and Mostafa Mohamed (Nantes) are vital to their offensive prowess, while Ibrahim Adel (Al Ahly) adds further depth. The week-long rest prior to this fixture has been crucial, allowing Mostafa Mohamed and Adel to shake off minor knocks. While young forward Ossama Faisal remains doubtful and Mohanad Lasheen is sidelined, Egypt otherwise enjoys a near full-strength squad. A critical area for improvement, however, will be their finishing, having netted only three times in the group stage – one of which was a penalty. The onus will be on Salah and Marmoush to convert chances into goals.
Benin: The Underdogs with a Roar
Benin, affectionately known as the Cheetahs (or formerly Squirrels), have carved out an impressive path to the Round of 16. Finishing third in Group D with three points, they qualified as one of the best third-placed teams, securing a crucial 1-0 victory over Botswana, with Yohan Roche finding the net. Their journey also included defeats to DR Congo and Senegal.
This marks only their second appearance in the AFCON knockout stage, with their best previous run culminating in the quarter-finals in 2019, famously beating Morocco along the way. Coach Gernot Rohr has instilled a resilient spirit, with striker Steve Mounié returning from injury to lead the line. Defensively, Olivier Verdon and Yohan Roche provide a solid foundation, while the midfield trio of Sessi D’Almeida, Matteo Ahlinvi, and Dodo Dokou offers balance and tenacity. Rohr openly acknowledges his team’s underdog status but emphasizes their right to dream, promising a compact, combative performance focused on quick counters and exploiting set-piece opportunities.
The Tactical Chessboard: What to Expect
The encounter is expected to be a classic David vs. Goliath battle. Egypt will likely dominate possession and territory, leveraging the creativity of Trezeguet and Ramadan Sobhi in midfield to feed Salah on the left flank and Marmoush on the right. An early goal will be crucial for the Pharaohs to ease pressure and prevent Benin from settling into their defensive rhythm. However, their finishing must be clinical, a point of concern from the group stage.
Conversely, Benin will adopt a disciplined, compact strategy, aiming to frustrate Egypt by blocking central channels and forcing them wide. Their defensive solidity will be paramount, and they cannot afford mistakes against Egypt’s attacking talent. With their only goal so far coming from a set-piece header, these situations will be vital for Rohr’s side. On the counter-attack, Mounié’s strength and the pace of their wingers will be their primary weapons. While Benin will fight for every ball, Egypt’s superior quality and experience are ultimately expected to be the decisive factors.
Expert Predictions and Outlook
Analyzing the form, squad depth, and historical pedigree, the predictions lean heavily towards an Egyptian victory, though Benin’s fighting spirit should not be underestimated.
- Both Teams to Score – Likely: While Egypt’s defense is strong, Benin’s determination and potential on set pieces could see them register a goal.
- Total Goals Over 2.5 – Likely: Given both teams’ average goal-scoring in the group stage (roughly 2-3 goals per game combined), a moderately high-scoring affair is anticipated.
- Mohamed Salah to Score – Likely: As Egypt’s primary goal threat, having scored two of their three group-stage goals, Salah is a strong candidate to find the net.
- Egypt to Win – Very Likely: Egypt’s higher ranking, dominant group-stage performance, and superior individual quality make them strong favorites to advance.
Predicted Score: Egypt 2-1 Benin
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