The Benin soccer championship season 2023-2024 kicked off on October 21, 2023 with the inaugural match Dynamo d’Abomey 2-1 Loto Popo despite multiple postponements.
As in the last three seasons, the competition has been repeatedly postponed. The championship, initially scheduled to start on September 30, 2023, was postponed until October 21. At the time, only 11 of the 36 clubs in the championship had obtained a notification or release of club license. Then, in a press release dated October 18, the Benin Football Federation (FBF) maintained the October 21 launch date for the championship, but postponed all first-day fixtures to a later date, with the exception of the opening match.
The FBF then granted latecomers a derogation until the end of the zone phase of the championship to bring themselves up to date. “At the end of the derogation period, clubs who have not obtained their letter of license will be purely and simply withdrawn from the professional championship and relegated to the lower division, regardless of their technical results.” The championship took its normal course on the second day, when eight matches were played.
Coton FC and Loto-Popo aim for top spot
The 2023 champion and runner-up Loto-Popo are hoping to dominate the new season once again, in order to secure one of the two qualifying places for the CAF’s interclub competitions. Coton FC, Benin’s two-time defending champions, got their season off to a flying start with a 0-4 win over promoted Etoile Filante.
The club’s aim is to make it three in a row, explains coach Victor Zvunka. “We’re going to take it easy. We’ll tell ourselves that we need to finish in the top four to qualify for the second phase. But when you’re champion, your ambition is to finish top of your group. So we’re going to do everything we can. We’re going to play every game, and win every one. But for us, the objective is the same as it has been for the last two years: the title, and we’re going to try and hold on to it for a third year.”
Reigning runners-up Loto-Popo have parted company with coach Mathias Déguenon, who has already won the championship in 2021. Gabonese Saturnin Ibela has taken charge of the club with ambitious goals in mind.“His mission is to take Loto-Popo to the next level in African competition next season, should they qualify. Under the Gabonese coach, Loto-Popo must become a formidable and competitive team. All this is to propel the club into the top 10 of the best clubs in Africa”, said the club.
The 34 other teams, outsiders or promoted, will battle it out with the regulars at the top of the table to qualify for the Super Ligue Pro, the second phase of the championship. The top two teams in this final stage will represent Benin at the end-of-season competitions.
