It was expected, and now it's happened. The Sparrowhawks of Togo concluded their June international break in style with a resounding victory against Benin. This Tuesday, June 9, 2026, on the pitch of the El Bachir Stadium, Patrice Neveu's men gave their Beninese neighbors a true footballing lesson.

A tricky start, then the Togolese awakening

However, the start of the match suggested a completely different scenario, vindicating the tactical choices of the Franco-German coach Gernot Rohr. Sharper and more clinical, the Cheetahs caught Togo cold in the 5th minute thanks to an opening goal from Felipe Silva .

But Togo's reaction was swift. After chasing the score, the Sparrowhawks leveled the score in the 39th minute, taking advantage of an own goal by the Benin defense.

The Hawks' offensive festival

Level at 1-1 at halftime, the two teams presented a completely different picture in the second half. Togo, in particular, displayed a different style. Completely overwhelmed, the Cheetahs struggled to contain the Hawks' lightning-fast attack. A. Komlavi , D. Djene , Kevin Denkey , and Fo Doh Laba all found the back of the net, definitively crushing Benin's hopes.

This show of strength validates the pre-match comments of striker Kevin Denkey, who had warned that Benin's status as favorites would not scare the Hawks:

“We know that Benin is a nation that has progressed in recent years and has competed in tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations. But we are still Togo. Togo is a great footballing nation, and this match will be very competitive. It will be much more than just a friendly, I can promise you that.”

A breath of fresh air in the FIFA rankings?

This clear and flawless success validates the initial work of the new coach Patrice Neveu , recently appointed to replace Nibombé Daré.

After a frustrating draw against the Central African Republic two days earlier, this resounding victory should allow Togo (ranked 121st in the world) to gain valuable points in the next FIFA rankings. Meanwhile, Benin (ranked 90th) suffered a worrying defeat, a setback that comes just days after their draw against Niger.