Egypt Vs Benin: Pharaohs Target 11th Quarter-Final Spot, 63rd AFCON Win

The Pharaohs of Egypt continue their bid for a record eighth Africa Cup of Nations crown when they face Benin in the Round of 16 at the Grande Stade d’Agadir on 5 January, with victory set to deliver their 11th quarter-final appearance and their 63rd win at the finals, more than any other nation.

The Pharaohs, winners of Group B after victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa and a draw with Angola, have already extended their tally to 62 AFCON wins, but will be keen to add another milestone.

They have reached the quarter-finals ten times previously (1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2017 and 2021), missing out only four times in tournaments featuring the last-eight stage, group-stage exits in 1992 and 2004, and Round of 16 eliminations in 2019 and 2023.

Egypt’s pedigree is further underlined by their record in knockout football. They have been involved in ten AFCON penalty shoot-outs, winning six and losing four.

They famously won two finals on penalties, in 1986 and 2006, but have lost their last two shoot-outs, against Senegal in the 2021 final and DR Congo in the 2023 Round of 16. Despite this, they remain unbeaten in 13 matches in open play (five wins, eight draws), with their last defeat in regulation time coming against Nigeria in their opening group game in 2021.

The Pharaohs also boast a strong record against Benin, winning three of their four previous meetings and drawing once.

Their only AFCON clash came in 2010, when Ahmed El Mohamady and Emad Moteab struck in a 2–0 victory. Overall, Egypt have scored 14 goals against Benin, conceding five, with their lowest-scoring encounter being that 2010 win.

Earlier meetings produced high-scoring affairs, including a 3–3 draw in 2006 World Cup qualifying and a 5–1 friendly win in 2008.

Key players continue to shine for Egypt. Mohamed Salah has scored nine AFCON goals, including two at the current finals, and is chasing a tenth to become only the third Egyptian to reach double figures at the tournament.

He has never scored three goals in a single AFCON edition, nor in three consecutive matches, but has already netted in successive games in Morocco.

Benin, meanwhile, are targeting only their second-ever quarter-final appearance, having reached the last eight in 2019. They remain winless against Egypt, but will hope to upset the record books in Agadir.