Benin conceded control late in Casablanca, with the friendly finishing 1-1 after Niger forced a stoppage-time equaliser—a reminder for G. Rohr that his rebuild still lacks closure in these fixtures.
Rohr trusted Marcel Dandjinou behind a back line of Liam Omore, Amiro Amadou, Mohamed Tijani and Charlemagne Azongnitode. Samadou Attidjikou and Hassane Imourane screened, while Dokou Dodo pulled wide to help Rodolfo Aloko and Romaric Amoussou combine with Felipe Santos. The structure looked secure because Niger’s front line, led by Amadou Moutari, spent most of the opening phase isolated.
The breakthrough arrived in the 37th minute. Amadou stepped forward, stayed on the move after a recycled phase and finished the only clean move Benin pieced together before the interval. The captaincy band sat well on him—calm on the ball, decisive in the box.
Rohr sought a second goal through quicker transitions after the restart. He kept Santos high and urged Aloko to attack Camara’s channel, yet Benin’s midfield spacing unravelled. Imourane dropped too deep, Dodo drifted away from possession and Niger grew into the contest even without reshaping much. Youssouf Oumarou and Hassane Adamou Amadou finally had time to play passes between the lines.
E. Badou stuck with his 4-3-3 and simply raised the press. Hassane Adamou Amadou and Ousseni Badamassi suffocated Benin’s outlets, forcing long clearances that never stuck with Amoussou. Niger’s patience mirrored their AFCON qualifying blueprint—minimal risk, wait for the late moment—and persistent pressure eventually produced the stoppage-time equaliser that sealed the draw.
Benin’s positive notes were clear. Tijani stepped out well to stop Moutari’s darts. Dandjinou looked composed when Niger finally tested him with high balls. Yet the absence of a true link between midfield and attack left Rohr’s side unable to protect their lead. Santos drifted, Attidjikou tired, and no changes arrived to steady the shape.
Key numbers:
- Final score: Benin 1-1 Niger
- Benin goal: Amiro Amadou scored in the 37th minute
- Niger goal: Equaliser logged in second-half stoppage time following sustained pressure
Both staffs will head to their next camps with the same priorities. Rohr needs sharper wide play and a bench option who can keep possession late. Badou will ask for the same resilience when World Cup qualifying resumes. For wider regional context, check the other friendly dossiers: Azerbaijan vs Malta, Angola vs Mauritania and Paraguay vs Nicaragua.
