African Cup of Nations Drama, unfortunately off the pitch

For all the good football on show at this month’s African Cup of Nations, Benin coach Reinhard Fabisch has revealed he was asked before the team’s match against Mali if he would help fix the result.

Benin lost in the Group B match by a 1-0 score line. The game was decided after they conceded a penalty during the second half. Doubts are now in the air about the penalty, whether the player (Alain Gaspoz) was implicated or even the match referee. You can bet if they approach the manager, they would also approach players.

Fabisch was approached in the team’s hotel:

"He wanted to find out from me if there was any possibility of manipulating the match," Fabisch said of the approach. I told him: 'Look, you have two minutes to leave the hotel or I will call the police'."

The incident took place Saturday, just two days before the game in Sekondi.

Fabisch had subsequently warned his players to inform the team of any approaches.

Benin play Ivory Coast in Sekondi this Friday.