Overview
On the one hand, if only looking at the top numbers, people can praise Egypt for keeping a clean sheet in 2 consecutive group stage matches against South Africa and Angola. They won 1-0 even though they were only 10 against South Africa and drew 0-0 with Angola.
However, when scrutinized more closely, Egypt allowed the opponent to launch 18 shots, while Angola made 16 shots in the final round to close the opening stage.
However, both statistics need to be placed in a specific context. Egypt played with 10 men throughout the second half against Hugo Broos's team - an opponent who only launched one shot in the first half but surged to 17 after the break. Meanwhile, the AFCON champions used a reserve squad seven times in the match against Angola.
Therefore, Egypt's true level will be verified when facing Benin. However, they are still considered a bright candidate to overcome the West African representative - a team that has only appeared in this round for the second time since 2019.
Even so, Hassan - who has won three continental championships as a player in 1986, 1998 and 2006 - will certainly be wary of the scenario of being eliminated early, after the home shock at AFCON 2019 and the most recent tournament in Ivory Coast.
On the other side, Benin entered the round of 16 with little pressure, when advancing thanks to a spot for one of the top 4 teams with the best results.
In fact, that is almost the only way for Gernot Rohr's team, considering the presence of Senegal and Congo in Group D. "The Panthers" won tickets to the next round thanks to a 1-0 victory over Botswana - the lowest rated team at AFCON 2025.
Although that victory was in the prediction, Benin still had to maximize the opportunity considered most favorable to win.
However, facing Egypt is a completely different challenge. The results against lower-rated opponents show that Benin still has a significant gap compared to the continent's "giants".
Rohr's team was silent in the 0-1 defeat to Congo and could not score against Senegal, even when Kalidou Koulibaly was sent off. To create an earthquake against Egypt at Agadir, Benin is likely to need an almost perfect performance.
Having surprised by eliminating Morocco in a penalty shootout at AFCON 2019, the North African representative hopes to be able to recreate another feat.
Personnel situation
Hassan is likely to return to the 4-defender formation in this match. Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush and Trezeguet are expected to return to the starting lineup to lead the Egyptian attack.
Mohamed Hany is also likely to reappear in the North African "giant" squad after serving a one-match suspension.
However, Mohanad Lasheen's condition remains a question mark, after he had to leave the field in the 64th minute of the previous match due to a reason believed to be injury.
On Benin's side, Sessi D'Almeida is having physical problems and his ability to play is still uncertain, while Abdoul Rachid Moumini is suspended for accumulating enough yellow cards.
Although not yet making a prominent mark at AFCON 2025, Benin's attacking responsibility still rests on Steve Mounie, Junior Olaitan and Aiyegun Tosin. In the qualifying round, Olaitan and Mounie contributed to 5 goals.
Expected lineup:
El Shenawy, Hany, Ibrahim, Rabia, Hamdi, Attia, Fathy, Zizo, Salah, Marmoush, Trezeguet.
Dandjinou, Ouorou, Verdon, Tijani, Roche, Imourane, Attidjikou, Tosin, Dodo, Olaitan, Mounie.
The match between Egypt and Benin takes place at 11:00 PM on January 5th (Vietnam time).
