Monday, January 5
*Egypt Vs Benin – 7pm
*Nigeria Vs Mozambique – 10pm
Egypt will fancy their chances of progressing to the Quarterfinals when they face Benin in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Round of 16 on Monday at the Grande Stade d’Agadir.
The Pharaohs are in pursuit of a record-extending eighth AFCON title, having last lifted the trophy in 2010. Confidence is high in the Egyptian camp after a solid group-stage campaign that saw them finish top of Group B ahead of South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe.
Speaking ahead of the knockout clash, the Egypt head coach said the team was fully aware of the task at hand despite their status as favourites.
“We are at a very important stage for the Egyptian national team, and we have big ambitions in the Africa Cup of Nations,” he said.
“Our goal is to get past Benin, a team we respect and appreciate. Their qualification for the Round of 16 was certainly not a coincidence.”
He added that the technical team had carried out detailed analysis on the West Africans as Egypt look to keep their title hopes alive.
“We have great ambition to make the Egyptian people happy,” he said, noting that Benin’s strengths and tactical approach had been carefully studied.
Benin head into the encounter aiming to make history by reaching the Quarterfinals for only the second time. They finished third in Group D behind Senegal and DR Congo to book their place in the knockout rounds.
History favours Egypt going into the tie. The two nations last met at the AFCON finals during the 2010 group stage, where Egypt secured a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Ahmed El Mohamady in the seventh minute and Emad Moteab late in the match.
Overall, Egypt and Benin have faced each other four times, with the Pharaohs winning three matches and drawing one.
Benin are still searching for their first-ever win against the North African giants, a statistic they will be hoping to overturn on Monday.