Benin braced for tactical test against Egypt in AFCON quarter-final

The West Africans will be without injured captain Steve Mounie, a significant blow as they prepare to face one of the continent's most decorated sides.

Despite the setback, Benin's camp remains defiant, with players stressing the need for a near-perfect performance across all departments.

Midfielder Dodo Dokou believes the Cheetahs must raise their level compared to their final group-stage outing against Senegal, where missed chances and defensive lapses proved costly.

"I think in the next match, we need to be even more aggressive and play as a cohesive unit," Dokou told Pan African Football.

"The match will be decided on tactics because the Egyptians are physically and tactically prepared. We need to be just as prepared as they are, and we need to defend better."

Right winger Rodolpho Aloko echoed the call for improvement, highlighting the importance of game management against elite opposition.

"When you play against big nations like Senegal, you absolutely have to know how to manage the game in defense, midfield and attack," Aloko said.

"We created many chances, but we fell short. We need to fix our weaknesses and be more clinical in front of goal."

While Benin are chasing history, the numbers firmly favour Egypt. The Pharaohs have dominated previous meetings between the two sides, winning three of their four encounters since 2004.

Their first clash, during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw in Cotonou. However, Egypt responded emphatically with a 4-1 win in Cairo, followed by a 5-1 friendly victory in 2008 and a 2-0 triumph at the 2010 AFCON.

With pedigree on Egypt's side and belief driving Benin, Monday's clash promises a compelling contest between ambition and experience.