The Squirrels of Benin are rewriting the scripts of footballing history as they have reached the quarter finals for the first time.
After stunning the Atlas Lions of Morocco in the round of 16, Benin will be hungry for more success as they face Senegal on Wednesday.
Senegal on the other hand have been impressive as they have eased pass the Cranes of Uganda with Sadio Mane having the luxury to miss a penalty in the game.
Aliou Cisse’s men have the upper hand against the Squirrels as their six meetings have resulted in the Teranga Lions having four wins and a draw.
A win for Senegal will push them a step further in their quest for first AFCON glory.
A defeat may as well be the last game for the country’s football legend, Aliou Cisse.
SENEGAL:
The coach of the Teranga Lions have been consistent in his lineup in the last two games and may keep the same starting eleven to face Benin.
Badou Ndiaye and Kalidou Koulibaly are a booking away from suspension and will be advised to put up a professional and disciplined game.
History is well in the favour of the West Africans but the shockers in the tournament will make the Senegalese cautious in their approach.
The attack of the Senegal have not blossomed fully yet although they have scored six goals so far.
However, the defense have been solid strong as they have conceded just one goal in the tournament.
The team will rely on their Liverpool star player, Sadio Mane who has scored three goals in the 2019 AFCON.
LINEUP PREDICTION: (4-2-3-1)
Gomis, Gassama, Kouyate, Koulibaly, Sabaly, Gana Gueye, P. N’Diaye, Sarr, Henri Saviet, Sadio Mane, Niang.
BENIN:
Michel Dussuyer will be counting on his players to stage another upset in the tournament as they did in the round of 16.
The West Africans have not won a game in regular time yet in the tournament but are in the quarter finals following drawn games against Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Cameroon and Morocco respectively.
The history between the two teams have not been in their favour but will not rule out the possibility of pulling out a stunner against the Teranga Lions of Senegal.
The Squirrels have scored three goals and conceded three goals so far in the tournament.
The Benin team will be without Adenon who was sent off against Morocco.
LINEUP PREDICTION: (5-4-1)
Farnolle, Baraze, Adilehou, Mama, Verdon, Imorou, Dossou, Sessegnon, Soukou, Djigla, Pote.
The game will be played at 16:00GMT.