Benin's Controversial Poster Sparks Tension Ahead of Egypt AFCON Clash
4 January 2026
Context
Benin’s football federation sparked a controversy 24 hours before their Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 clash with Egypt by publishing a poster that mocked Mohamed Salah.
The federation’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts showed Salah on the ground while a Pharaoh wearing Beninese colours delivered the strike.
Standings and History
The federation said the quarterfinals are now more serious and that Benin is ready to push its limits to win; the target was Egypt, with the game slated for Monday, January 5.
A second post complained about racist abuse in the comments after Egyptians reacted to the poster.
Historically, Benin has never beaten Egypt, meeting four times with Egypt winning three times and one draw.
Egypt led their group in AFCON 2025, while Benin finished third behind Senegal and Congo in their group. The sides now meet with a knockout berth at stake.
Punchlines: If Benin pulls off the upset, Salah may finally learn how to score memes instead of goals. And remember: posters may spark chatter, but goals decide the winner on the pitch.
