Soccer, the great popular sport
Although the Beninese national team is not really recognized on the international scene, they are true fans of the game. The African Cup of Nations, the World Cup, the Champions League - any competition brings out the giant screens in the bars and empties the streets for 90 minutes.
The national team plays at the Stade de l'Amitié Mathieu Kérékou in Cotonou (approx. 35,000 seats). Never qualified for a World Cup, the Écureuils have taken part in the final phase of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) four times. In 2004 in Tunisia, they were not spoilt for choice, finding themselves in a group with three of the continent's top teams: Morocco, South Africa and Nigeria. Benin were then logically eliminated after three defeats. The same punishment was meted out in 2008 in Ghana, against Mali, Nigeria and the Elephants of Côte d'Ivoire, before the country's first good result in 2010 in Angola. Although the tournament was marred by the shooting of the Togolese bus by terrorists in the enclave of Cabinda, Benin scored their first point in an international competition. In their opening game, the Squirrels neutralized Mozambique (2-2) before falling (again) to Nigeria and Egypt.
In 2019, the Beninese team achieved the greatest performance of its history at the CAN organized in Egypt. After emerging from the group stage for the first time (thanks to three draws), they went on to scalp Morocco in the Round of 16 (1-0 after extra time)! In the quarter-finals, they unfortunately lost to Senegal (1-0), the eventual finalists. A match followed by a whole nation, notably in front of the giant screens installed in the Amitié stadium.
The best player in the history of the Beninese national team is Stéphane Sessegnon. Sessegnon, who played for Requins de l'Atlantique in Cotonou, moved to France, first to Créteil (L2), then to Le Mans (L1) and finally to Paris-SG. Winner of the Coupe de France (in 2010) with PSG and capped 84 times by the national team in July 2024, Sessegnon ended his rich career with Sirens FC on the island of Malta. At the same time, Benin was ranked 91st in the FIFA rankings. Not the highest ranking (52nd in December 2010) in the history of a national team coached by Bordeaux legend, Franco-German Gernot Rohr.
But the big story in Beninese soccer in recent years has been the team's change of nickname, with the historic Écureuils giving way to the new and (as the federation hopes) more terrifying Guépards.
Awale, the traditional leisure activity
This is the pastime played by all Beninese, young and old alike. This strategic game is played with a board made up of two hollow half-logs, each with six holes, containing pebbles or seeds. The aim is to grab as many of your opponent's seeds as possible. Awale is played in various forms throughout West Africa.
From north to south, superb walks
Hiking. This is the main sporting activity on offer in Benin. And it's a good thing too, as the country is full of trails to explore, on foot or even on horseback. Around Lake Ahémé, to discover the voodoo villages, along the Fishing Road to hike between the fishing villages, or take the Slave Road to the Museum of the Door of No Return in Ouidah.... In the north, too, there are plenty of opportunities to strap on your hiking boots, especially in theAtakora mountain range.
MOUNTAIN BIKING. The south of the country offers a number of opportunities to let off steam on a mountain bike, notably around Lake Ahémé and on the Fishing Road between Cotonou and Ouidah.
Safari. Safari enthusiasts will want to visit the two national parks, Parc national de la Pendjari and Parc national du W, once they have reopened (security did not permit this in the summer of 2024). These sites, included on Unesco's world list of biosphere reserves, will delight both those who want to stroll around with camera in hand and hunting enthusiasts. For the latter, please note that the hunting zones are open from December 15 to May 15. The Pendjari is one of the last viable refuges for elephants and lions in West Africa. If you're looking for an eyeful, March and April are the best months to see the animals, as the weather is dry and the harmattan, which raises a veil of dust, has stopped blowing; but it's also the hottest time of the year. The rains don't arrive until May.
Sailing, swimming and relaxing
Fishing. While a number of organizations, particularly those involved in ecotourism, offer big-game fishing trips, it's also fun to discover traditional fishing techniques on Lake Ahémé aboard a pirogue.
Kayaking. Hotel Chez Théo offers kayaks for exploring Lake Ahémé. The more adventurous can make the round trip between Possotomé and Tokpa-Domè, opposite (approx. 10 km).
Swimming. While the ocean is generally very dangerous all along Benin's coastline (so don't lose your footing when you jump into the water), there are several pleasant beaches in Benin. Grand Popo, for one. Bordered by palm groves and virtually deserted, it's the country's most pleasant beach, even if, as everywhere, it's best to swim at low tide.
In Cotonou, everything has changed since the Route des Pêches was paved in 2020. Restaurants and beach bars have sprung up in the Fidjrossè area, making it the perfect place to spend a Sunday on the beach in a deckchair. Locals also go to Cotonou's Obama Beach for a relaxing game of beach soccer or beach volleyball. There's an entrance fee of 500 FCFA, but you'll find deckchairs, a restaurant, a straw hut... Finally, more and more hotels have swimming pools, particularly in Cotonou, where you can go for an entrance fee (around 2,000 FCFA for the day). The best ones are at the Novotel Orisha, the Hôtel du Lac in Akpakpa or the Golden Tulip Le Diplomate.
Spa. Cotonou's major hotels (Azalaï, Golden Tulip Le Diplomate, Novotel Orisha, etc.) generally offer a Spa. Several formulas are available: alone, as a couple, hammam, sauna, massages, hydrotherapy...
