By Victor Okoye, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Egypt’s pursuit of a record eighth Africa Cup of Nations title faces a stern knockout examination against a spirited Benin side in the Round of 16 in Agadir.
The encounter holds at the Grande Stade d’Agadir on Monday, with kickoff fixed for 6 p.m. (Nigerian time), as experience collides with ambition.
Egypt arrive as Group B winners, claiming victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa before drawing with Angola to underline tournament consistency.
Coach Hossam Hassan rotated his squad heavily against Angola, making 11 changes and underlining Egypt’s depth and tactical flexibility.
“We prepared for this stage from day one,” Hassan said. “Knockout football demands concentration, patience and belief in our identity.”
The Pharaohs are contesting the Round of 16 for the fourth time, having suffered painful eliminations at this stage in 2019 and 2023.
Another exit would deepen recent frustrations, following penalty shoot-out losses to Senegal in the 2021 final and DR Congo in 2023.
Victory, however, would send Egypt into the quarter-finals for an 11th time, reinforcing their status as AFCON’s most decorated nation.
Egypt boast 62 AFCON wins, more than any other country, and remain unbeaten in 13 matches in open play at the tournament.
Yet their recent struggles against West African opponents add intrigue to Monday’s contest.
Egypt are winless in their last seven matches against West African teams, with only one victory since 2021.
Their most recent AFCON meeting with Benin came in 2010, when goals from Ahmed El Mohamady and Emad Moteab secured a 2–0 win.
Overall, Egypt dominate the fixture, unbeaten in four meetings, scoring 14 goals and conceding five.
Mohamed Salah remains central to Egypt’s hopes, having scored twice already at Morocco 2025.
A further strike would see Salah become the third Egyptian to reach double figures in AFCON goals.
“Salah is important, but this team is not about one player,” Hassan said. “We win and lose together.”
The Liverpool forward has created seven chances, the most by any Egyptian at the tournament.
Behind him, Marwan Attia has dictated tempo, completing more passes than any teammate.
Goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir has also impressed, keeping a clean sheet on his AFCON debut and continuing a family legacy.
Benin, meanwhile, are chasing only their second-ever quarter-final appearance, riding the momentum of a historic breakthrough.
The Squirrels reached the knockout stages for the second time, having previously done so in 2019.
Their 1–0 group-stage victory over Botswana ended a 16-match winless run at AFCON finals.
Coach Gernot Rohr said that result transformed belief within his squad.
“This victory showed my players they belong at this level,” Rohr said, adding, “Now we want to go further.”
Benin progressed as one of the best third-placed teams in spite of a heavy 3–0 loss to Senegal in their final group game.
They have scored just once at the tournament, sharing the lowest tally among teams still competing.
Their shot conversion rate of four per cent highlights their attacking struggles.
Defensively, they conceded three goals from six shots on target against Senegal, exposing vulnerabilities.
Yet, Rohr insists Egypt are not invincible.
“We know Egypt’s stars,” Rohr said. “But they are not only Salah and Marmoush.”
“We are underdogs, yes, but underdogs also have chances,” he added.
Rohr noted that familiarity could help, with several Benin players having featured in the Egyptian league.
Samadou Attidjikou, Dodo Dokou and Hassane Imourane all boast experience of Egyptian football.
Benin have never beaten a North African side in open play at AFCON, drawing one and losing two.
Their only success came on penalties against Morocco in the 2019 Round of 16.
That memory fuels belief that history can repeat itself in Agadir.
For Egypt, the task is to convert dominance into decisive knockout success.
For Benin, the dream is to defy pedigree and carve a deeper chapter in AFCON history.
As the Pharaohs and Squirrels collide, Agadir braces for a contest where tradition meets fearless ambition.(NANFeatures)
***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.