BETTING GUIDE: Egypt Vs Benin, match preview, team news and betting tip
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 05.01.26. | 08:56
Historically, meetings between Egypt and Benin have favoured the Pharaohs, especially in competitive settings where Egypt’s experience and composure often prove decisive
Egypt and Benin meet on Monday in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations, a knockout clash that pits the tournament’s most successful nation against one of its most resilient outsiders.
The match will be played at Grande Stade D’Agadir in Morocco, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00p.m. EAT, as the competition enters its decisive phase.
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Egypt arrive as clear favourites, but their cautious draw against Angola in the final group game has slightly tempered expectations, while Benin will approach this tie with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Egypt topped their group unbeaten, continuing a long-standing trend of defensive control and tournament know-how.
Victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, followed by a 0-0 draw with Angola, were enough to secure safe passage into the knockout rounds.
Across their last five matches in all competitions, the Pharaohs have scored five goals and conceded just two, underlining a side that prioritises control and game management over attacking excess.
They have kept clean sheets in two of their three AFCON group games and remain unbeaten in 17 competitive senior internationals.
Egypt’s home and neutral-ground performances in tournaments are typically strong, built on structure, experience, and moments of individual quality rather than sustained pressure.
Team news also favours Egypt. Mohamed Salah has been decisive despite limited minutes, scoring both of Egypt’s winning goals so far, including a dramatic stoppage-time strike against Zimbabwe.
Omar Marmoush has added energy and vertical threat when deployed, while the back three has offered solidity and protection in front of the goalkeeper. There are no major injury concerns reported, allowing the coaching staff continuity and tactical clarity heading into the knockout phase.
Benin’s journey to the Round of 16 has been far less convincing on paper.
They qualified with a single group-stage win, edging Botswana 1-0, while losing to DR Congo and Senegal. In their last five matches, Benin have scored just two goals and conceded nine, failing to find the net in four of those games.
Their away and neutral form has been particularly challenging, with a lack of attacking output forcing them into deep, reactive structures for long spells.
While they showed resilience to reach this stage, their underlying numbers point to a side struggling to create and sustain chances.
From a squad perspective, Benin rely heavily on defensive organisation and individual discipline.
Left-back Yohan Roche scored the decisive goal that secured qualification, while centre-back Olivier Verdon has been a standout performer, particularly in ball circulation and defensive clearances.
However, injuries are not the main concern for Benin; rather, it is the absence of consistent attacking threats.
Their likely approach will be compact, conservative, and transition-based, aiming to frustrate Egypt and keep the game close for as long as possible.
Historically, meetings between Egypt and Benin have favoured the Pharaohs, especially in competitive settings where Egypt’s experience and composure often prove decisive. The gap in pedigree, squad depth, and tournament efficiency is clear.
Key Pointers;
Egypt have conceded only one goal and kept two clean sheets in this tournament.
Benin failed to score in two tournament games and in four of their last five games in all competitions.
The “Both Teams to Score - No” bet has won in all of Benin’s last ten games.
Egypt have kept a clean sheet in eight of their last nine senior team games outside friendlies.
All signs point toward a controlled Egyptian performance rather than a high-scoring contest.
Egypt are unlikely to overcommit early, instead relying on structure, patience, and moments from Salah or Marmoush to decide the game. Benin’s limited attacking output makes it difficult to see them breaching Egypt’s defence, even if they remain competitive for long periods.
Prediction; Egypt win
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