The head coach of Benin Republic’s national team, Gernot Rohr, has unveiled a 25-man squad for their upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifying matches against Nigeria and Libya.
According to The PUNCH, the Cheetahs will face Nigeria in Uyo on September 7, followed by a clash with Libya three days later.
Leading the forward line for Benin are Jodel Dossou and Steve Mounié, with Rohr also extending invitations to two newcomers, Bachirou Sika from Coton FC and Samadou Attidjikou of Bani Gansè FC.
Rohr, who previously managed Nigeria’s Super Eagles, orchestrated Benin’s 2-1 victory over Nigeria during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June.
This upcoming match marks his first return to Nigeria as a coach since his departure from the Super Eagles in 2021.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian national team has undergone significant changes since their last encounter with Benin, including the appointment of another German coach, Bruno Labbadia, who succeeded Finidi George.
Labbadia aims to start his tenure on a high note with a successful outing in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers before regrouping for the continuation of the challenging 2026 World Cup qualifiers later in 2024.
The Nigeria Football Federation recently announced a 23-man squad for the qualifiers, highlighting the return of 2023 AFCON MVP William Troost-Ekong, alongside Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
Benin Republic’s squad for the qualifiers includes:
Goalkeepers: Saturnin Allagbé, Marcel Dandjinou, Karim Abdoul Aziz
Defenders: Rodrigue Fassinou, Cédric Hountondji, David Kiki, Rachid Moumini, Yohan Roche, Rabiou Sankamao, Bachirou Sika, Mohamed Tijani, Olivier Verdon
Midfielders: Mattéo Ahlinvi, Mariano Ahouangbo, Romaric Amoussou, Samadou Attidjikou, Sessi D’Almeida, Dodo Dokou, Hassane Imourane, Junior Olaïtan
Forwards: Steve Mounié, Tosin Aiyegun, Andréas Hountondji, Jodel Dossou, Steve-Waren Traoré.
