How a team reached the AFCON quarter-finals without winning a single match
In short: The Benin national football team, nicknamed The Cheetahs, holds a peculiar distinction in African football history. Despite never winning a game during their early tournament appearances, they managed to advance to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. Their journey is a story of resilience, administrative turmoil, and unexpected breakthroughs.
Known as Dahomey until 1975, the team has been under the control of the Benin Football Federation since the nation adopted its current name. Their international journey began on 8 November 1959 with a loss to Nigeria, a match played while the territory was still a French dependency. Although they have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup, they have participated in five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, specifically in 2004, 2008, 2010, 2019, and 2025.
The team's history is marked by significant administrative instability. In 2010, the federation president, Anjorin Moucharaf, was arrested on fraud allegations, prompting 12 of the 15 board members to resign in protest. Following a group stage exit that same year, the federation took the drastic step of dissolving the national team and dismissing coach Michel Dussuyer. This reaction was part of a wider trend in the early 2010s where African football authorities disbanded squads following disappointing tournament results.
Despite these setbacks, the team achieved a notable milestone in 2019. After reuniting with Dussuyer, they advanced through the tournament as a third-placed team and secured a surprising victory over Morocco on penalties. This run took them to the quarter-finals, where they were eventually eliminated by Senegal. This performance cemented their status as the first national side to reach that stage of the competition without having previously secured a victory in their tournament history.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Benin national football team
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-benin-national-football-team.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in UK & Irish culture · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
