By Karim Okanla BBC Sport, Cotonou

Taelman says Benin have a long way to go

Former Benin coach Rene Taelman has criticised officials of the country's football federation for ignoring the role he played in their historic qualification for the Nations Cup finals.

Taelman was Benin's coach at the beginning of their Nations Cup campaign but was replaced by Ghanaian Jones Attuquayefio.

While in charge of Benin, he organised a training tour of Belgium, which played a key role in preparing the Squirrels for the Nations Cup qualifications series.

"They did everything they could to elbow me out.

"Now these people are taking credit for the successful squad that I brought out of 40 years of darkness," Taelman said.

He believes the Nations Cup in Tunisia would serve as a valuable leaning experience for the inexperienced team but said they would make little impact against the continent's leading sides.

The Belgian-born coach has secured a job with Tunisian club Olympic Zawiya and hopes to lead them to the national championship and a place in next season's Champions League.

Taelman did not elaborate on the terms of his contract but he plans to take some Beninois players to his new team.