Inexperience prompts French teenager to turn down Benin

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 January 12.