Benin beats Central African Republic 4-1 to top Group F
Benin moved to the top of Group F in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after a 4-1 win in Abidjan on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
Benin's national team, Les Guépards, beat the Central African Republic 4-1 on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, in the third round of qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Imourane Hassane opened the scoring in the 7th minute. Louis Mafouta equalised for the Central African side in the 19th minute, but Rodolfo Aloko and Tosin Aiyegun scored before halftime. Aiyegun added a second goal in the 56th minute.
Coach Gernot Rohr kept the same starting line-up used in Benin's first two matches. Benin drew 1-1 away to Burkina Faso in September, then beat Mauritania 2-1, with Aloko scoring twice in that match. With seven points, Benin now sits alone at the top of Group F, three points ahead of Burkina Faso, who play Mauritania on Friday.
The Central African Republic is still without a point after three defeats and stays in last place. The two sides meet again on Monday, November 16, at 17:00 for the return fixture, the fourth round of the group.
Why it mattersBenin is now first in Group F with seven points, and its next match against the Central African Republic on Monday, November 16, at 17:00 decides who leads the group after the fourth round.