BBC SPORT | Football | Africa | Cup of Nations | Benin's work cut out for 2005

By BBC Sport Online's Karim Okanla in Cotonou.

Caf's decision to grant Benin the right to host the African U17 Championship in 2005 is something of which the football authorities here are very proud.

The small West African nation has never held a major soccer tournament.

But Football Federation chairman Martin Adjagodo knows they now have to live up to expectations.

He wants the government to throw its weight behind the project, to show that Benin can meet the challenge.

The country has only one serviceable stadium, the Friendship Stadium in Cotonou.

Fans in Cotonou say they are fed up with the sorry state of their stadiums
Fans want better grounds
But the pitch is poorly maintain and in need of major renovation.

Develop squad

And the Rene Pleven Stadium, the country's next biggest, is in a dilapidated state.

Many soccer fans think it an eyesore.

The Charles de Gaulle Stadium in Porto-Novo, is in even worse repair.

A large portion of the perimeter fence has collapsed, and weeds grow everywhere.

In the rainy season, the pitch becomes so muddy that players resemble pigs at the final whistle.

And in the dry season, soccer fans must cover their noses so they do not inhale mouthfuls of dust.

To repair the stadiums will require major investment.

But the authorities holding the money, most importantly the government, have not yet said how they will improve facilities.

There are still three years to go, but the FA is keen to make sure there is no last minute rush.

Their most immediate concern should be to develop an U17 squad, which Benin has never had.


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