Benin – Nigeria, the derby of truth

Africa Benign True Sports
Truth Info
March 25, 2021
0
9 minutes read

"Michel Dussuyer, what plan do you plan to put in place next saturday ? Will we be ambitious in the game or once again we will park the bus ? ». The concern of a colleague at a press conference on Monday 22 mars 2021 which provoked shameless laughter at best, if not quite audible murmurs to perceive the concert of a few parted lips which let hear "yourself you already know ! "" We must not forget where we come from "proclaims Michel Dussuyer who without going into a tactical-tactical explanation made it clear that Benin will play with its forces. And one of the strengths of Benin, it is this defensive organization, one of the best of the moment on the continent and which gave the Squirrels a small reputation at the African Cup of Nations 2019. But between the CAN 2019 and today, some upheavals have taken place. Starting with the goalkeeper position. If yesterday Fabien Farnolle and Saturnin Allagbe posted certain performances in club, to the point of generating emulation, today, the deal has changed. One had a bad time, the fault of a nasty injury. Resurrected in Ethiopia just a few days ago. The other discovered the league's demands 1 French and since clinging to a post of second goalkeeper. Data is therefore non-existent at the last rampart post. : rhythm. Which makes the equation much more complex. Michel Dussuyer has always let those who want to listen to his hierarchy know in this sector of the game. It remains to be seen whether his conception of things will remain unchanging.

Defense boss Abdoul Khaled Adenon, even if it would be ungrateful and unfortunate to doubt his abilities, it is still legitimate to recognize that the maestro is getting older (35years) and now play at a lower level (Us Avranches, 3th division in France). When we know that today's opponents will be called Chukweze, Ihenacho, Iwobi, Kalu or Oshimen, you have to be careful. Not to be afraid. But no doubt, when the game will be raised to the level “champion’s league ” how many will they be able to keep pace in defense (Probably Adenon- hountondji-Roche-Assogba et Kiki) ? In the absence of Verdon (blocked by his club Ludogorets) the defense offers a little less consistency.

The Sessegnon equation

Will he play or will he not play ? Sept (7) months since the captain of the Squirrels has not appeared in a match. He has been without a club since his contract with Gençlerbirligi was terminated in August 2020. What will be the role of “the special guest” from the national coach ? Will he have play time ? "It will depend on your feelings and the week of preparation" explained Michel Dussuyer., very evasive on the question. The presence on the field of the former Parisian leader appears with many more questions, what certainties. In the old days, if his tenure seems obvious, this design is now light years away from reality. Diego's rotten state of form (sole scorer for Benin in the first leg) is certainly not the most reassuring. Will the Riviera technician tempt the devil even if it means defeating him or perishing? ? Because if it goes with Sessegnon, he will receive the laurels. The side of the room will then be very acerbic and frowned upon.. Its cash and more or less technical replacement, Cebio Soukou, neither does he display the shape of his life. Absent for several weeks from Arminia Bielefeld's squad, he has had a series of misfortunes and is coming back little by little. It might be a little too limited.

The TGV, launched at full speed

In this manifest fog, hopes and hopes will certainly rest on the right foot, the explosiveness and exceptional state of form of Jodel Dossou. The Auvergne winger shows some tempting statistics : 11 goals and 2 assists with his club, Clermont foot. In this elimination campaign, he carried Benin on his own on several occasions, sole scorer against Sierra Leone and Lesotho, and passer against Nigeria in the first leg. 2 goals and an assist and 4 matches, he is clearly the number one offensive asset 1 today Squirrels. The TGV is launched at full speed. His next stop at the station facing Nigeria may still do some damage. Who knows !

8 years of invincibility

Super Eagles favor predictions, It's a certainty. Except at home, the Squirrels have become formidable. Benin has not lost on its facilities since 8 years. The last defeat of the Squirrels at home dates back to 09 June 2013 against Algeria. They had lost 3 goals at 1, precisely at the Charles de gaulle stadium in Porto Novo. And since, despite the reception of the big ones like Mali, the Burkina Faso, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea and Togo among others, Benin has no longer bowed down to the country. It is therefore an invincibility of 16 home matches played against the neighbor to the east. A life-size test. That of the truth. We must be able to be resilient, like the Beninese economy which has remained on track despite the unilateral closure of the border of the famous neighbor to the East. A tricolor flag blown by the wind but still secured to its mast. And much more than tactics, this match will be played in the mind, to determination, fighting spirit and sacrifice. Anything that these Squirrels version Dussuyer 2 know how to do so well. A state of mind instilled by the former ace goalkeeper Cannes and which has yet to be reiterated. " 90 minutes, it's nothing in a lifetime "said Olivier Verdon.

Robert KEKELY