Benin – Ligue 1: SOBEMAP holds its own, Coton FC falters, round-up of matchday 17

Leading the championship, SOBEMAP slips but remains atop the Benin Ligue 1 standings, while Coton FC missed the chance to seize the throne after a defeat by Loto-Popo.

The 17th matchday of the Benin championship delivered its verdict this weekend, and the tension was at its peak until the final whistle. While the leader, AS SOBEMAP, lost at home to Bani Gansè (0-1), its direct pursuers failed to seize their opportunity, allowing the leader to retain first place. Yet untouchable at home this season, the port city club fell to Bani Gansè.

A defeat that could have cost them dearly if the Buffles du Borgou and Coton FC hadn’t also stumbled. The Buffles were beaten 1-2 at home by the Dragons in an animated derby, while Coton FC, in third place, suffered a hammer blow, conceding a 1-0 defeat in the dying minutes to Loto-Popo. This result allows Loto-Popo to come level with ASPAC (30 points), creating a compact chasing trio behind the top two.

Damissa and ASVO, the surprises of the day

Lower down in the standings, Damissa FC pulled off the feat by winning 3-1 at Dadjè, climbing to a nice 7th place. ASVO, for its part, gave its supporters a spectacular match by defeating JS Pobè 3-2 in a direct clash to stay up.

At the bottom of the table, the squeeze tightens. Dadjè’s defeat leaves it as the lone last-place team on 10 points, while a fierce battle pits five teams (Bani Gansè, JS Pobè, USS-Kraké, Ayéma, ASVO) in a tight pack to avoid relegation.

The standings after the 17th matchday:

1. AS SOBEMAP FC – 34 pts (+11)
2. Buffles FC – 32 pts (+10)
3. Coton FC – 31 pts (+8)
4. ASPAC FC – 30 pts (+13)
5. Loto-Popo FC – 30 pts (+8)
6. AS Cotonou – 29 pts (+6)
7. Damissa FC – 26 pts (+4)
8. Dynamo d’Abomey – 25 pts (+2)
9. Dragons FC – 22 pts (-4)
10. Espoir FC – 22 pts (-5)
11. Hodio FC – 21 pts (-1)
12. ASVO FC – 17 pts (-6)
13. Bani Gansè – 16 pts (-4)
14. JS Pobè FC – 16 pts (-5)
15. USS-Kraké – 16 pts (-5)
17. US Cavaliers – 13 pts (-8)
18. Dadjè – 10 pts (-18)