Stephane Sessegnon and Steve Mounie are the big names in the pack as Republic of Benin head coach Michel Dussuyer on Tuesday unveiled his 23-man list for next week’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2021 qualifier against Nigeria’s Super Eagles, reports www.aclsports.com
Dussuyer in a brief ceremony at the Benin Football Federation headquarters in Cotonou on Tuesday sprung a few surprises in his roster, calling up only fourteen (14) members of the side that reached quarter finals at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The Frenchman however reserved places for former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Sessegnon who plays in Turkey nowadays with Genclerbirligi while Huddersfield Town’s Mounie also kept his place.
Dussuyer has also called up France based midfielder Jordan Adeoti while he handed Nigeria-born defender Jean Ogouchi his maiden call up to the Squirrels A side.
Jean Ogouchi speaks about life in Benin Republic
Benin will face Nigeria at the Godwill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo next Wednesday in their first group match as the race to qualify for the Cameroon tournament hots up.
The Squirrels (as the Benin national team are nicknamed) will then face Sierra Leone four days later in their first home game of the group stage.
Nigeria’s squad for next week’s game against Benin
Benin Squad for Nigeria and Sierra Leone
Goalkeepers
Fabien FARNOLLE – Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey
Cherif Dine KAKPO – Buffles de Borgou, Benin
Marcel DANDJINOU – ESAE FC, Benin
Defenders
Youssouf ASSOGBA – Amiens SC, France
Melvyn DOREMUS – AF Bobigny, France
Cedric HOUNTONDJI – Clermont Foot, France
Emmanuel IMOROU – Thonon Evian, France
David KIKI – Stade Brestois 29, France
Aiken Jean OGOUCHI – Dragons de l’Ouema, Benin
Olivier VERDON – KAS Eupen, Belgium
Nabil YAROU – Buffles de Borgou, Benin
Midfielders
Jordan ADEOTI – AJ Auxerre, France
Jerome Bonou AGOSSA – AC Djoliba, Mali
Sessi D’ALMEIDA – Valenciennes, France
Seibou MAMA – SC Toulon, France
Stephane SESSEGNON – Genclerbirligi, Turkey
Anane TIDJANI – AS Soliman, Tunisia
Attackers
Yannick AGUEMON – OH Louvain, Belgium
Jodel DOSSOU – TSV Hartberg, Austria
Marcelin KOUKPO – CS Hammam-Lif, Tunisia
Steve MOUNIE – Huddersfield Town, England
Mickael POTE – BB Erzurumspor, Turkey
Cebio SOUKOU – Arminia Bielefeld, Germany