They have two matches. Only two to change the course of history and make Benin argue, for the first time in its history, World Cup play-offs. Except that certainty is not the commodity currently shared within the Squirrels nest box. A team, once more, as usual, doomed to exploit.
The mission is unequivocal : win the next two matches in order to be able to hope for a possible qualification in the second round of the qualifiers for the Qatar World Cup 2022. By conceding a defeat in Cotonou (0-1) against Tanzania on the previous day, Benin is scuttled and finds itself in an uncomfortable posture, forced to take 6 points on 6 possible against Madagascar in Cotonou and DR Congo in Kinshasa three days later.
The first date is revealed little like a trap. Faced with zebus who achieved the perfect shot at home against the DRC, home victory 1-0, the Squirrels have the status of favorite because they play on their facilities. Better, Michel Dussuyer and his men went to carry out the perfect heist in Antanarivo in the first leg 1-0. An inaugural victory of these qualifiers remained across the throat of the Malagasy. Them, whose presence at the first leg, of the President of the Republic Andry Rajoelina, alongside African football icon Samuel Eto’o in a hot stadium, fully renovated, will hardly have prevented Steve Mounié from flying to the top of the Indian Ocean to place a head that cools the Barea Mahamasina in celebration.
The Barea will therefore be keen to take their revenge in Cotonou. Especially with Éric Rabesandratana who seems little by little to find a balance. If at the start, the groping was visible, over the matches the former PSG defender, better understand his group. A team that 2019 surprised football Africa by advancing to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2019. A capital performance whose brands are now combined with the past. In Cotonou, les Barea, will present themselves as a scratching hair. With limited chances of qualification, the team will still want to regain confidence and energy. A grain undoubtedly difficult to grind for Squirrels.
Goliath DRC
In Cotonou, the Squirrels were satisfied with the point of draw 1-1 in the face of Leopards who are nevertheless captivable. Hector Cùper’s team, still in the race despite their misstep in Antanarivo, will play their chances just as bravely. The winning country of the Can 1972 and who has never returned to the World Cup since 1974 wants to regain its status on the continent.
Eliminated from Can Cameroon 2021 and with zero representative in the African league of champions clubs for the rest, all the Congolese football is currently stammering. A black page that wants to be quickly closed.
But meanwhile, the Squirrels can take advantage of this less well to go and provoke fate. Car, since 27 mars 2018 and the taking over of the team by Florent Ibengue until the appointment of Hector Cùper, the DRC, this is 28 matches played for 5 victories, 14 draws and 9 defeats, 25 goals scored, 33 cashed and only 6 clean sheat. Gloomy statistics for such a large African football team. It is, we can tell each other, a monument in difficulty.
Except that the DRC is still in the race in this group J, even if she no longer has her fate between her feet. 3th in the group with 5 points, just 2 points from Tanzania and Benin. Everything is still playable for leopards certainly less ferocious but still as conquering.
Dussuyer on the embers
The national coach is more and more contested since the elimination of Conakry, poorly digested by many Beninese. Renewed at the head of the team for the world qualifiers, he was assigned the task of leading the team as far as possible. If the two away victories in this campaign have put the stars in the eyes of the public and have marked furrows of hope, GMK defeat to Tanzania puts manager back on top. He probably knows, he has two matches, only two to probably maintain his chair or not. Une nouvelle élimination du Bénin avant les barrages pourrait acter la fin du règne Dussuyer dans maison Ecureuils. « En est-il conscient ? » Lui demande-t-on en conférence de presse de publication de liste. «Je n’y pense pas. Je suis pleinement investi dans ce que je fais » rétorque le technicien azuréen. Une certitude, against Madagascar he will do without Cédric Hountondji, injured adductor and Cebio Soukou, tested positive for Covid 19, two important players of the group.
However, with the return of Jodel Dossou who has publicly apologized, the uproar that agitated the preparation of the lost match is more than a distant nightmare. Any result, other than a victory this Thursday would already doom Benin. Michel Dussuyer knows this better than anyone : He and his foals no longer have the right to make mistakes.
Robert KEKELY