AFCON 2025: Egypt vs. Benin preview, prediction, team news and head-to-head

The Pharaohs arrived at the tournament carrying the weight of expectation, widely tipped as serious contenders to reclaim the continental crown and finally move on from painful runners-up finishes in 2017 and 2021. 

Benin, by contrast, are firmly cast as outsiders, but they have already shown they are capable of defying predictions and will approach this knockout tie with little to lose.

Egypt topped Group B, but their route to first place was far from smooth. The Pharaohs needed a dramatic stoppage-time goal to edge past Zimbabwe, followed that with a narrow win over South Africa thanks to a spot-kick, and then played out a goalless draw with Angola to close out the group stage. 

While performances were not always fluent, the results were enough, and in tournament football that efficiency often proves decisive.

Under experienced management and with a squad packed with elite-level talent, Egypt remain well placed to grow into the competition. 

The sense is that they have been managing games rather than dominating them, keeping something in reserve for the knockout rounds where margins tighten and experience becomes invaluable.

Benin’s path has been far less convincing on paper. They progressed as one of the best third-placed teams despite losing two of their three group matches. 

However, their campaign already carries historic significance, having secured their first-ever AFCON victory by beating Botswana earlier in the tournament.

Coached by the seasoned Gernot Rohr, Benin will be hoping to channel the spirit that previously carried them to the quarter-finals in 2019, when they famously reached the last eight without winning a single match. 

Organisation, discipline and patience are likely to be central to their game plan once again.

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History strongly favours Egypt, as the Pharaohs have never lost to Benin, winning three and drawing one of their previous four meetings. 

Their most recent encounter came back in 2010, and while that offers little tactical relevance, it underlines the gulf in pedigree between the two nations on this stage.

Both sides approach this knockout tie with full-strength squads, giving the managers few selection headaches. 

Egypt are expected to lean heavily on their experienced core led by Liverpool's Mohammed Salah, while Benin are likely to stick with the group that carried them through the group phase.

Egypt: El Shenawy; Hany, Ibrahim, Rabia, Hamdi; Attia, Zizo, Fathy; Salah, Marmoush, Trezeguet

Benin: Dandjinou; Ouorou, Verdon, Tidjani, Roche; Imourane, Samadou, Tosin; Dodo, Olaitan, Mounie

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Benin’s story has already been one of resilience and quiet progress, but this feels like a step too far against an Egyptian side built for knockout football. If the Pharaohs can find a higher attacking gear, their quality should tell over 90 minutes.

Correct score prediction: Egypt 2-0 Benin

Betting tips:

Egypt to win

Egypt to keep a clean sheet

Mohamed Salah to score anytime