Egypt’s quest for a record-extending eighth Africa Cup of Nations title resumes today by 5 p.m., when they take on Benin in the Round of 16 at the Grande Stade d’Agadir.
For the Pharaohs, this is familiar territory in a tournament they have dominated more than any other nation. For Benin, it is a chance to edge closer to history, with only a second-ever quarter-final appearance within reach.
The fixture leans heavily in Egypt’s favour on paper. The two sides last met at the finals in 2010, when a largely second-string Egypt side, already through as group winners, secured a controlled 2–0 victory through early and late goals from Ahmed El Mohamady and Emad Moteab.
Across four previous meetings, Egypt are unbeaten, claiming three wins and a draw. They have found the net in every encounter, while Benin have scored in three of those games evidence that the West Africans have rarely gone quietly. Notably, Egypt’s 2–0 win in 2010 remains the only clean sheet in the history of this fixture.
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Goals have often followed when these sides meet. Their first clash, a 2006 World Cup qualifier in Cotonou, ended in a thrilling 3–3 draw before Egypt ran out 4–1 winners in the return leg. A friendly in 2008 was equally emphatic, with Egypt cruising to a 5–1 victory.
Yet recent trends offer Benin a measure of hope. Egypt have struggled to impose themselves against West African opposition in knockout and late-stage matches, failing to win any of their last four such games. That sequence includes two goalless draws at the 2021 finals against Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, both decided on penalties and group-stage draws with Ghana and Cabo Verde in 2023.
Indeed, Egypt have managed just one win in their last seven matches against West African teams, although they remain difficult to beat in open play.
As the knockout rounds begin, the contrast is clear: Egypt chasing history and authority, Benin chasing belief and a rare place among the last eight.
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