Benin name squad to take on Bafana Bafana

Benin have named a 25-man squad to take on South Africa and Lesotho in their opening World Cup qualifier this month, with both matches being played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Twenty of the 25 players named by coach Gernot Rohr are foreign-based, including one from Ligue 1 and another five from the French second division.

But they have to do without injured French top league striker Tosin Aiyegun, who plays for Lorient but has a thigh injury that means he is sidelined for the matches on Saturday, 18 November and Tuesday, 21 November.

Benin take on South Africa in Durban in first match in Group C for both countries and then Lesotho, who do not have a home ground that is up to international standard and have therefore elected to host their home game against Bernin in Durban.

Benin’s squad includes Steve Mounie, who is at Brest in the top flight in France and previously played in England’s Premier League.

They have also named goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou from JDR Stars in the Motsepe Foundation Championship plus five players from clubs in Benin.

The others hail from clubs in 10 different countries.

Benin have met South Africa only once before, losing to Siyabonga Nomvete double at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Sfax, Tunisia.

SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS: Saturnin Allagbé (Dijon, France), Marcel Dandjinou (JDR Stars, South Africa), Serges Obassa (AS Cotonou)

DEFENDERS: Rodrigue Fassinou (Loto Popo), Cédric Hountondji (Angers, France), David Kiki (Farul Constanta, Romania), Rachid Moumini (Ayéma), Tamimou Ouorou (Hatta, United Arab Emirates), Rabiou Sankamao (ASPAC), Mohamed Tijani (Yverdon Sport, Switzerland), Olivier Verdon (Ludogorets Razgrad, Bulgaria), Yohan Roche (Quevilly-Rouen Metropole, France)

MIDFIELDERS: Mattéo Ahlinvi (FK Cukaricki, Serbia), Sessi d’Almeida (Pau, France), Dodo Dokou (Smouha, Egypt), Imourane Hassan (Future FC, Egypt), Rodrigue Kossi (Al Taraji, Saudi Arabia), Junior Olaitan (Troyes, France), Cèbio Soukou (Bandirmaspor, Turkey)

STRIKERS: Jodel Dossou (Sochaux, France), Prince Ricardo Dossou (ASVO), Chabel Gomez (Samgurali, Géorgie), Andréas Hountondji (Rodez, France), Steve Mounié (Stade Brest, France), Steve-Waren Traoré (Lokomotiv Sofia, Bulgaria).