The first leg of the 2018 African Nations Championship qualification at Stade de Kégué, Lomé, saw the home team settle for a disappointing 1-1 draw against Benin.

Marcellin Koukpo scored the opener for Squirrels of Benin in the 44th minute to secure a first half win which was canceled by Togo’s Sewonou Koidjo in the 47th minute. Both teams created chances, but none could find a winner before the end of what was a pleasurable contest.

The return leg will take place on the 23 July 2017, at Stade de l’Amitié, Cotonou.

A win for Benin is crucial to advance to the second round of the qualification, but the delight is even if the game ends in a scoreless draw, they’d advance at the expense of the Hawks.

The winner of this two-legged tie would take on Nigeria, 2014 bronze medalists in a final playoff game for a place in CHAN 2018 with the first leg taking place on the weekend of 11th – 13th August, and the return leg on Saturday, 19th August.

Other CHAN first leg results:
Gambia 0-0 Mali
Guinea-Bissau 1-3 Guinea
Liberia 0-2 Mauritania
Sierra Leone 1-1 Senegal