Benin’s captain Sessegnon set a bad example

THE behaviour of some of Benin players during yesterday’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Amavubi Stars proved that African players are more or less the same regardless of where they pay from, Europe, Asia or at home. To start with, the Squirrels must count themselves extremely lucky to even get a draw in a game they created virtually nothing and have to thank Amavubi strikers’ lack of finishing prowess for leaving Kigali with a point. Having won comfortably on their last visit to Kigali, Benin must have thought they were simply going to turn up and get a result. How they even got the guts to complain after the referee had awarded a blatant penalty to the home team with five minutes remaining on the clock, will remain a mystery. Benin also had two players on its squad booked; one for time wasting, another one for dessent against the referee. No Rwandan player was booked.Against the run of play Benin took the lead in the 73rd minute very much against the run of play when their star striker Razak Omotoyossi, who plays for Egypt side Zamalek punished a mix-up in the Amavubi defensive line, which until this point had dealt with everything thrown at them. It was his and Benin’s first serious goal scoring opportunity on target but instead of sitting back and feeling sorry for themselves after going behind, Amavubi coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojovic encouraged his team to keep attacking, and it wasn’t too late before the equalizer arrived. Second half substitute Labama Bokoto, who replaced the ineffective Olivier Karekezi won and converted the resulting penalty with five minutes to go. But before that he had missed Rwanda’s two best scoring chances, one with head and the other with his right foot, both from very close range. After taking the lead, Benin players thought the game had probably been won and they couldn’t believe it when Ethiopian referee Bamlak Tessema Weysa pointed to the spot following a clear foul on Bokota, who was through on goal. The incident happened inside the box but Benin players led by the culprit Jordan Adeoti and his captain Stephane Sessegnon took their protest against the decision way above the acceptable levels—Adeoti even aimed a punch in the referee’s face but somehow missed his target. Weysa, after getting extended protection from the Police officers, who stormed the field following the drama, brandished a belated red card for Adeoti. This further infuriated the centre back, whose frustration went way overboard. Hot waters On top of his ban for the sending off, the defender could receive further punishment from FIFA if the referee includes the ugly incident in his match report. Sessegnon also could be in hot waters for, instead of calming his enraged team mates, led the protest even at full time, which needed yet further intervention by the police officers, whose actions were both welcome and unwelcome in almost equal measure. Benin was there for the beating but Amavubi strikers’ inability to take their chances helped them off the hook, and Micho’s decision to start to an injured striker didn’t help the matter whatsoever. Elias Uzamukunda felt his knee in training on Friday and was a major doubt to start but the coach went with him, Meddie Kagere and Olivier Karekezi in a three-man attack. Unfortunately, he only lasted 23 minutes and was replaced by Dady Birori, who had two good chances, one in each half, to give Rwanda the lead. Needing to win after the horror of last weekend in Algeria, the hosts almost took the lead in the 8th minute but Tumaine Ntamuhanga saw his fierce low long range shot come off the bottom of the post. There was also the impressive debut for right full back Steven Godfroid, who looked assured defensively but somehow less effective going forward. But on a day when everything could have gone all wrong had Benin held for a win, it was essential that Amavubi players showed that they can hold their own, and that Micho can be ruthless like when he drops key players like Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza from the starting team. The draw might not be the ideal result that Micho and his players wanted but it at least shows that all hope is not lost, although it only seems to cover the cracks in the whole team set-up, which major improvement in time for the forthcoming 2013 Nations Cup qualifier return leg against Nigeria.nku78@yahoo.com

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Benin’s captain Sessegnon set a bad example