Determination and belief push Mounié and Benin in chase for AFCON glory
Benin striker Steve Mounié says belief and determination are driving the team in their quest for history at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025.
The Cheetahs have already checked one historical milestone with their first-ever victory at the tournament, and now set their sights on a second objective: equalling their best-ever AFCON performance by reaching the quarter-finals.
They face Egypt in Agadir on Monday in the Round of 16, looking to bring all those ingredients together as they push for another historic result.
“We will approach this match with determination and the belief that we can qualify, fully confident in our strengths,” Mounié told CAFOnline. Those strengths, he added, are also drawn from the strong team spirit that has characterised the team since the start of the tournament.
“The group is doing really well. We share moments of joy together. At every meal, the players taking part in their first AFCON go through a bit of initiation, which creates a great atmosphere on a daily basis. It helps us release some of the mental pressure,” explained the Alanyaspor forward.
Aiming to do better than 2019
Benin qualified from Group F at AFCON 2025 after recording their first-ever victory in the group stage, and their first win from open play in the history of the competition. Mounié believes the Cheetahs are capable of achieving even more.
“We have already made history at this Africa Cup of Nations, but now we are thinking about what comes next and how we can do even better. Continuing to write the history of Beninese football is important to us, and qualifying against Egypt would be a resounding achievement,” he said.
The former Stade Brestois striker was part of the Benin squad in 2019, when the team, then known as the Squirrels, reached the AFCON quarter-finals for the first time in their history. The question now is whether they can repeat that feat.
“In 2019, we were mentally exhausted. We weren’t prepared to go that far, unlike in 2025. We had a very long preparation and a demanding campaign, which worked against us. This time, I hope we will be mentally and physically fresher to approach this match in the best possible way,” said Mounié, who remains a doubt for the encounter against the Pharaohs due to injury.
Rohr, the right man for the job
Despite their performances, the Cheetahs have not escaped criticism, something Mounié accepts but does not fully understand.
“I think some of the criticism has been a bit harsh. But people are free to say what they want. What matters is that we have achieved the objectives we set before the competition,” he said.
One thing is certain: Benin will give everything against Egypt, whether or not Mounié features on the pitch. Head coach Gernot Rohr will be on the touchline, and his leadership has been a key factor in Benin’s success.
“The coach is someone who gives a lot of responsibility to his players. Sometimes that’s a good thing, because we are the ones on the pitch and, with our experience, we must be able to manage tactical and technical situations ourselves,” Mounié added.