AFCON 2019: Steve Mounie Confident Benin Will Pick Ticket Over Togo

Benin national team forward Steve Mounie is confident that his team will get a positive result against Togo on Sunday.

The Squirrels come into the match placed second in the standings with seven points from five matches, and they hold a two-point lead over Togo.

Benin, therefore, need nothing but a win to secure a place at the 2019 finals, while the Hawks must win in Cotonou to claim the first-ever berth at the Africa Cup of Nations.

“It is always a pride to play for Benin. We know that this match is crucial. It will be necessary to manage this match like men, like mature professional footballers,” said Mounie in an interview with Radio Sport FM

“This match is like a final to us. It will take the support of fans, a fine atmosphere at the stadium to push us.”

The Huddersfield Town striker added that he was delighted to have returned to the national team and together with his teammates they will do everything to help the team qualify to the continental showpiece.

“We want to make people proud by qualifying. To wear high the colors of Benin on the continental scale will be a great achievement for us. It is very important. We will give everything,” he added.

The first Group D meeting between Benin and Togo took place in Lome in September last year, with the teams playing to a goalless draw.

However, Togo’s qualification from the group could be complicated after The Gambia appealed to the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS) over the eligibility of Togo defender Adewale Olufade, who played in the game between the two countries in October.

If the appeal is successful, Confederation of African Football rules state that Hawks will be disqualified and their results annulled, something that could have a big impact on who goes on to play in this year’s tournament in Egypt.