Continental Cups: End of course for ESAE and Buffalos

The representatives of Benin in the African Champions League and in the African Football Confederation Cup respectively ESAE FC (Lotto Butt) and the Buffaloes of Borgou have all marked the pace at the level of the preliminary rounds. Two eliminations synonymous with the end of the course of Beninese clubs in the continental competitions of the year.

The promise was not kept by the defending champion and his runner-up in continental competitions.  Checked in Cotonou (1-1), ESAE FC couldn't turn the tide on Saturday 18 September 2021 in Nouakchott against defending champion Mauritania, Nouadhibou. However, the Benin National Lottery club managed the score of 0 goal everywhere at half-time before conceding two goals after the break, works by Hemeya Tanjy (56″) on penalty and Mouhsine Bodda (75″). For, Mathias Deguénon, coach of the reigning Beninese champion, the elimination of its formation is linked to several parameters. "We failed in the offensive animation (…). We didn't have enough rest time before entering this match and physically we weren't ready too. (…)   We were also a little down in terms of staff (on the two confrontations). The penalty shot was a stopper for us ... But there was still something we could do ", he confided in the post-match conference while indicating "We will learn a lot of lessons in these two confrontations to better project ourselves in the future".

The Buffaloes in the CAF Cup beaten in Rabat (3-1) in the first leg suffered the same fate as in previous participations. Facing the Association of the Royal Armed Forces (AS FAR) at the General Mathoeu Kérékou Friendship Stadium, Saturday 18 last september, the team of the National Shippers Council of Benin simply recorded a goalless draw of zero goals everywhere. A score that makes Moroccans happy. For Buffalo Captain Sheriff Dine Kakpo, the level is not at the international and continental level. "If the championship is regular, the Beninese clubs will perform well ”, he hinted. "This poor performance is due to the failure to respect the tactical plan put in place and the lack of realism", let go of the coach Dramane Sanou. A real bitter pill for the Oxes who have just recorded a fourth consecutive elimination in the 1st round of the African campaigns. Three times in the African Champions League and this time in the CAF Cup.

It's still over rather !

One thing is for sure, Benin no longer has a club in continental competitions on behalf of 2021. This proves that there is really a technical malaise which plagues the clubs.. Two fundamental problems: how to manage clubs in Benin and the training of trainers. Which will have a positive impact on the players. Because if a link in the chain is faulty, the failure is resounding. The coach, Michel Dussuyer had declared a few months ago “Absence of local players from the list ? Between the level of the Beninese championship and the international level, there is a big gap. I don't know if they will be able to adapt immediately. But I am following the national championship with great interest and a few players have caught my attention ". And the former Buffalo and ASPAC coach had emphasized a little rather that "The big problem for Benin players remains the training at the base and especially the trainers. It is urgent that we see this again. This is the sine qua non for being able to have good talent while continuing to organize the various championships each season ".

Damien TOLOMISSI