From Cotonou to the International Stage: The Rise of Beninese Football

From Identity Change to Professionalization: An Investigation into a Nation That No Longer Wants to Hide.

has become second nature for observers of African football.

• 1. From Resistance to Conquest: The Mental Evolution Football in Benin long suffered from the “underdog syndrome,” caught between the Nigerian giant and the Ivorian powerhouse. The story began with the “Squirrels” (the Beninese national team).
• 2004:

The first historic qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, led by the legendary Oumar Tchomogo. 2019:

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A turning point. By reaching the quarterfinals in Egypt and eliminating Morocco, Benin shattered its glass ceiling.

The name change in 2022 to become the “Cheetahs”

marks the end of this era of “resistance.” The squirrel is agile and hides; the cheetah, on the other hand, hunts and dominates its prey with its speed. This is the essence of the country’s new sporting project.

2. The Project of Local Professionalization You can’t have a great national team without a strong league. This is where Benin has made the most recent progress with the establishment of the Super League Pro

• The emergence of new strongholds The club landscape has evolved. While the
• Atlantic Sharks or the
• Ouémé Dragons are historic names, new powers are emerging:

Coton FC: The Ouidah club has dominated recent discussions, supported by a solid financial structure. Loto-Popo FC:

Based in Grand-Popo, this club embodies seriousness and consistency.

Dadjè FC:

The revelation that shakes up the hierarchy. The Beninese state has also invested heavily in the construction of 22 multi-sports stadiumsacross the country, allowing clubs to play on decent pitches, a *sine qua non* condition for producing attractive football.

3. The Gernot Rohr Effect and Tactics

The arrival of the Franco-German coach Gernot Rohr at the helm of the national team is not insignificant. Former coach of neighboring Nigeria, he is intimately familiar with the region’s mentality.

Under his guidance, the team is still searching for its perfect balance, but certainties are emerging: a solid defense anchored by Cédric Hountondji and a direct style of play that looks for headers from Steve Mouniéor the attacking runs of

“Amazons”