Reigning Africa Champions Ivory Coast were forced to a 2-2 draw by Benin in a friendly on Saturday in Amiens, France.

It was Oumar Diakite’s equaliser in the second half that saved the Elephants blushes.

After a lacklustre performance, they had to trail twice in order to draw in their first game as coach Emerse Fae’s team won the Cup of Nations title on home soil last month.

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Just before the half-hour mark, winger Max Gradel levelled, following the opening goal by Benin midfielder Junior Olaitan.

Benin was ahead 2-0 thanks to a second goal by Olaitan, but after 69 minutes, Diakite equalised again.

Tuesday’s friendly match between Ivory Coast and Uruguay in Lens offers another chance to prepare for the June start of the 2026 African World Cup qualifying.