Benin staged a second-half recovery to secure a 1-1 draw against Senegal in their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture at the Stade de l’Amitié in Cotonou on Saturday night.

Despite playing at home in their fifth Group L fixture, the Squirrels found themselves trailing in the 43rd minute when defender Abdoulaye Seck, who turns out for Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Haifa, hit the back of the net. However, Benin drew level in the 78th minute courtesy of a great finish from Abdoul Rachid Moumini.

Senegal, who have already qualified for the Ivory Coast finals as they lead the group, entered the pitch minus captain Kalidou Koulibaly, and it was Sadio Mane, who donned the captain’s armband. Senegal attacked Benin from the onset and they should have taken an early lead in the fourth minute but they were kept at bay when custodian Saturnin Allagbe produced a great save to deny Mane.

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However, with two minutes left to the half-break, the African champions finally broke the deadlock when Mané’s perfectly placed cross found Nicolas Jackson, whose header was met with an overzealous challenge by Seck. The defender made no mistake, finding the back of the net and propelling Senegal into the lead.

In the 78th minute, Moumini levelled matters for Benin after he unleashed a thunderous strike that soared into the left top corner of the net, leaving Senegal keeper Seny Dieng rooted to the ground. The outcome saw the Lions of Teranga drop their first points in this campaign.

However, they remained top of the group with 13 points, Mozambique second with four points, Rwanda third with three, the same as last-placed Benin. Rwanda will face Mozambique at Huye Stadium on Sunday.