The Cheetahs out to outsmart injury-hit Warriors

Benin will tussle it out with Zimbabwe in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualification (Group C) match scheduled to be played at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium (Ivory Coast) on Friday.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Cheetahs are winless in their last eight matches across all competitions as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Morocco in a friendly on 9 June, after losing 2-0 to South Africa in a Group C clash on 25 March.

Benin are occupying the third spot in the Group C standings, having collected eight points from six games and the West African side will be keen to overcome Zimbabwe to boost their qualifying ambitions alive.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe are undefeated in their last two matches across all competitions, having drawn 1-1 with Niger in a friendly on June 10 and defeating Mozambique 3-1 in a Cosafa Cup clash on the same day.

The Warriors find themselves placed sixth in the Group C standings, having accumulated four points from six games and the Southern African side will be under pressure to secure a win over Benin in order to revive their qualifying hopes.

TEAM NEWS

Steve Mounie and Andreas Hountondji headline Benin's latest squad, with the former having found the back of the net three times in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, while unattached Jodel Dossou is also in the team.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will be without Marshall Munetsi against Benin due to a one-match suspension, while his teammates Khama Billiat and Marley Tavaziva have been excluded from the squad due to their respective injuries.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Benin coach Gernot Rohr

“Jodel Dossou is a very important player for the team. If he’s physically up to par, he can contribute a lot," Rohr explained to the reporters why he selected clubless Dossou.

"When I was on the opposing side, in Nigeria, I saw this player, and I told my Nigerian players: the danger from Benin is Jodel Dossou. He still has his technical qualities.

"Even if he’s slightly less strong physically, he still has his overall qualities that allow us to have an edge in the team when needed.”

Zimbabwe coach Michael Nees

“We have had a good session, you can tell that the boys are ready to fight and we are looking forward to the game," Nees told Zifa media.

“So for now, we are focusing on Benin and we are not thinking about the next game. “Our preparations will determine if we will get the maximum points because we don’t want to drop points at this stage in time."

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Benin and Zimbabwe have met once across all competitions following their maiden meeting on 20 March.

The 2026 World Cup qualifier ended in a 2-2 draw in South Africa.