Inexperience prompts French teenager to turn down Benin

Cotonou: Grenoble midfielder Jonathan Tinhan has turned down a call-up from Benin to play at the African Nations Cup finals after just one senior game.

The French-born Tinhan`s decision delayed the final selection of the 23-man Benin squad by coach Michel Dussuyer for this month`s tournament in Angola.The 20-year-old Tinhan had expressed surprise at being named in a preliminary squad and was advised by his parents and club not to play at the tournament given his lack of senior experience, Benin`s Le Matinal newspaper reported. Tinhan has played just 19 minutes of Ligue 1 football for bottom-placed Grenoble.Benin will play a warm-up friendly at home against Libya on Wednesday before departing for Angola. Their opening Group C game is against Mozambique in Benguela on Jan. 12. Bureau Report