Benin vs Botswana Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Benin and Botswana have started the CAF Africa Cup of Nations with a defeat apiece as they now clash at Stade Olympique Annexe Complexe Sportif Prince Abdellah in Rabat.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Matches will be televised across the Channel 4 network / USA – beIN Sports

How to watch online: UK – All 4 & Channel 4 Sport YouTube / USA – beIN Sports Connect & Fubo

Benin preview: Impressive WCQ campaign

In African qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Benin performed admirably and went into the final round of fixtures sitting at the top of their group, above South Africa and Nigeria, before dramatically succumbing to third place.

They have started their CAF Africa Cup of Nations group stage campaign with a defeat. They suffered a slender 1-0 loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rabat due to a 16th minute strike scored by Theo Bongonda.

Botswana preview: Average Botswana

Botswana have been woeful for a while now, despite something of a minor improvement within the last half a decade or so, and they started this campaign at the hands of a bit of a shellacking.

Up against two-time winners Senegal, at the Grande Stade de Tangier in Tangier, Botswana were flattered by only losing 3-0 against the Lions of Teranga, with a brace from Nicolas Jackson as well as a Cheikh Ndiaye strike inflicting defeat upon Botswana.

Benin team news: Fully fit

Benin head into this one with a fully fit and available squad, having come through their clash with the Democratic Republic of Congo completely unscathed the other day.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Allagbe; Moumini, Verdon, Roche, Ouorou; D’Almeida, Imourane; Aloko, Dodo, Dossou; Tosin

Unavailable: 

Questionable: 

Botswana team news: Nothing to change

Botswana may be temped to make changes as a result of being hammered so comfortably the other day but they do have a fully fit and available squad and so can go unchanged.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Phoko; Velaphi, Gaolaolwe, Dithokwe, Johnson; Ditsele; Orebonye, Cooper, Mohutsiwa, Seakanyeng; Kebatho

Unavailable: 

Questionable: 

Benin vs Botswana prediction

Benin will believe they can go deep into this competition, especially with how competitive they were able to be against the likes of South Africa and Nigeria. Botswana are a limited side and would have to be fairly viewed as one of the weakest teams in this competition. Benin have struggled for a couple of months now, but they are firm favourites to get a much-needed victory here.

Benin vs Botswana tip: Benin to win