After missing Benin’s opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, a 1-0 defeat to DR Congo, captain Steve Mounie is set to return for the Cheetahs’ crucial second group game against Botswana on Saturday at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
The 31-year-old striker sat out the opener due to a suspension carried over from the AFCON qualifiers but will be available to lead Benin as they look to revive their knockout-stage hopes with a vital win.
Mounie picked up yellow cards in Benin’s 2-1 first-leg AFCON qualifying victory over Libya and again in the return fixture, with the accumulation ruling him out of the tournament opener.
His return will be a major boost for head coach Gernot Rohr, who is keen to secure his first victory with the Cheetahs after a run of three consecutive defeats.
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Benin come into the clash on the back of a difficult run of results, having lost 4-0 to Nigeria in their final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, suffered a 3-0 defeat to Burkina Faso in an international friendly in October, and then edged out 1-0 by DR Congo in their AFCON opener.
While Mounie has endured a goal drought at club level, failing to score in seven appearances for Turkish side Alanyaspor, he remains a key attacking figure for Benin.
The striker netted two goals in six matches during the AFCON qualifiers and added four goals in eight World Cup qualifying games, underlining his importance to the national team.
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