Benin and Guinea-Bissau will resume their Africa Cup of Nations Group F campaigns on Saturday. The two African rivals will meet in Ismailia and three points could greatly improve one team’s chances of progression to the knockout round.
Michael Dussuyer’s Benin picked up a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Ghana in their Africa Cup of Nations opener. After taking an early lead against the favoured Ghanaians, Benin struck back but fell behind 2-1 just before halftime.
Mickael Pote scored his second goal of the fixture in the 63rd minute to help Benin secure the draw. Benin are playing in their first Africa Cup of Nations since 2010.
They put on a good performance against one of Africa’s heavyweights Ghana. Dussuyer’s team will be buoyed by their success in their opening fixture.
Guinea-Bissau conceded two goals to Cameroon as they fell to a disappointing opening match loss, 2-0. Cameroon controlled the fixture and Guinea-Bissau were well-beaten to start Group F play.
Manager Baciro Cande’s team are playing in their second straight Africa Cup of Nations tournament. It is only the second time the national team has ever made the competition.
Compared the rest of Group F, Guinea-Bissau are minnows in Group F. They go into Saturday’s match with just one win in their last six matches in all competitions.
Much of Cande’s squad play their club football in Portugal. Unfortunately for the Guinea-Bissau manager, there is no one stand out player in the team. Their highest scorer at the international level is Fredric Mendy who has scored just four goals for the national team.
Benin held 51% possession against Ghana and should see plenty of the ball on Saturday versus Guinea-Bissau. Cande’s side managed just 39% possession of the ball and tallied a mere one shot on target.
Although Benin registered four shots on target, they will have the ball for large chunks of the game and should camp out near the Guinea-Bissau 18-yard box.
Striker Pote collected both Benin goals against Ghana. Dussuyer could choose to alter his attack for match No.2. The 34-year-old could be rested for Benin’s final Group F match against Cameroon.
Niort striker David Djigla or Huddersfield Town striker Steve Mounie could be moved to the right side of the attack for Pote. Mounie started down the middle against Ghana with Pote on the right flank.
Benin have far more attacking weapons that Guinea-Bissau do. Dussuyer’s team could be surprise Group F winners, but they will need to win on Saturday and be victorious against Cameroon.
The fixture should see a Benin win and under 2.5 goals as Guinea-Bissau struggle to get on the scoreboard.