Africa Cup of Nations rivals Ghana and Benin kick off their Group F campaigns on Tuesday in Ismailia. The two African nations are joined by Cameroon and Guinea-Bissau in the group and each team is capable of taking points off the other.
Ghana are four-time winners of the African Cup of Nations. They haven’t lifted the tournament’s trophy since 1982, however.
The last six Africa Cup of Nations have seen Ghana reach the semifinals at the very least. Twice during that timeframe Ghana finished as runners-up.
Benin are playing in their first Africa Cup of Nations since 2010. It is only the fourth appearance they have ever made at the competition.
Due to their inexperience at the Africa Cup of Nations, expectations are low Benin can win the group. Bookies have Benin listed at odds of 12/1 to win Group F.
Ghana missed out on the World Cup 2018 and spent much of the year competing in friendlies and Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. The Black Stars posted a 4W-2D-2L record in their last eight matches in all competitions.
The Black Stars’ pre-tournament camp in Dubai didn’t go to plan as they failed to win their two friendly matches. They are coming off of a nil-nil draw against South Africa in their final warm-up fixture. It followed a 1-0 loss to Namibia.
Benin ended 2018 with mixed results. The Squirrels posted just one win in four Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches. Benin have improved since the new year posting three wins in three matches. Those victories came against Togo, Guinea, and Mauritania.
Manager Michael Dussuyer has a squad of players mostly culled from clubs in Europe. Just two players have been called in from clubs in the Benin league.
Premier League fans will be familiar with Huddersfield Town striker Steve Mounie. He has tallied six international goals in 16 appearances. Former Sunderland midfielder Stephane Sessegnon captains Benin and has scored 22 international goals in 74 matches.
It wouldn’t be the Africa Cup of Nations without some kind of squad row. Ghana have had issues with Asamoah Gyan, who came out of international retirement thanks to the president of Ghana. Gyan is in the squad and will expect to add to his 51-career goals tally.
📷 it's getting there!@Ghanafaofficial Black Stars after workout ahead of #Afcon2019 opener.Ghana vs Benin is on Tuesday night.#FootyAfcon pic.twitter.com/JoxdETNgrx— Footy-Ghana.com 🇬🇭 (@FootyGhana) June 24, 2019
📷 it's getting there!@Ghanafaofficial Black Stars after workout ahead of #Afcon2019 opener.Ghana vs Benin is on Tuesday night.#FootyAfcon pic.twitter.com/JoxdETNgrx
Ghana have one of the most complete squads at the Africa Cup of Nations. Against a minnow like Benin, Ghana should have little difficulty picking up a victory.
The Black Stars have posted a 7W-5D-2L record against Benin. That record will move to eight wins on Tuesday as Ghana stroll to a win with over 2.5 goals scored.