Current Form and Risk Assessment

Since the last international window in November, Benin and Zimbabwe’s national teams have managed only a single win, which fell to the latter. The critical question now is whether either side will dare to push for a decisive victory in this crucial direct confrontation.

Benin’s Struggles and Key Players

The Benin national team is currently enduring a challenging eight-match winless run, with half of those fixtures resulting in draws. The “Cheetahs” roster primarily comprises seasoned players rather than prominent European-based stars. Key figures include winger Steve Mounié from Augsburg, who has impressively amassed 63 caps and 20 goals for his country, and defensive lynchpin David Kiki of Romanian side FCSB, with 54 appearances for Benin. Both athletes have reached the age of 30. In their most recent friendly clash against Morocco (a 0-1 defeat), only Mounié featured.

Group Standings and Zimbabwe’s Position

Both nations are primarily focused on securing the crucial second playoff position, given that South Africa has already established a five-point lead over its nearest rival. Benin finds itself exactly five points adrift, while Zimbabwe’s prospects of even reaching second place appear quite limited. The Southern African squad currently occupies the bottom spot, remaining without a victory and accumulating only four points. During the summer, the Zimbabweans did manage a COSAFA Cup triumph against Mozambique (3-1). However, since the end of October, their record reflects five draws and five defeats, with just one other instance where they netted more than a single goal.

Final Verdict and Motivation

Given their current scoring output, I have little faith in Zimbabwe’s ability to even secure a draw. Conversely, the Benin national team players are highly motivated heading into this fixture, aiming to cement their second place in the group standings. A win is imperative for them to achieve this objective.