"2019, when Benin reached the quarter-finals. "I want my team to play good football, and let the clubs know that it was worth it to release [the players] at a very difficult time of the season," Adelakun told BBC Sport Africa. "I'd love to win the tournament. The journey will be tough [but] what I've got at the moment is seven Afcon finals to navigate.""
"The West Africans now arrive in Morocco, where they will face Senegal, DR Congo and Botswana in Group D, eager to turn disappointment into a memorable Afcon outing. "Losing out [on] qualification for the World Cup was a bitter pill we found really hard to swallow," Adelakun said. "We've put it behind us, there's no regrets [and] we're proud of what we did. It's time to get onto the African stage and prove to the world what we are made of.""
Benin arrive at Afcon 2025 in Morocco seeking a strong tournament in their fifth finals appearance. The Cheetahs debuted in 2004, missed the 2021 and 2023 editions, and achieved their best result with a 2019 quarter-final run. The squad selection favors players who impressed during 2026 World Cup qualifying, with captain Steve Mounie leading the team. Benin narrowly missed a historic first World Cup, losing decisive qualification on the final matchday. Placed in Group D with Senegal, DR Congo and Botswana, the team aims to convert recent disappointment into a memorable Afcon performance.
Read at www.bbc.com
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