Gernot Rohr claims Benin will be ready to embrace AFCON challenge

Benin national team coach Gernot Rohr believes they have prepared well to compete and challenge for honours during their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco from December.

They have been drawn in a challenging Group D alongside Senegal, DR Congo and Botswana. Despite the competition, Rohr’s side are determined to make their mark.

Senegal and DR Congo are African powerhouses

“It’s a very tough group. Senegal and DR Congo are African powerhouses, and Botswana are developing fast,” the former Nigeria coach told CAF.Online.com. “We start against DR Congo — semi-finalists at the last AFCON and still in the World Cup playoff race — a big challenge.

“Then comes Botswana, a must-win game if we want to advance. Finally, we face Senegal in Tangier — a team we know well after several recent encounters, including a friendly in Amiens that we lost narrowly (1-0).

“It’s demanding, but we embrace the challenge.”

He added: “The Africa Cup of Nations is an exceptional tournament — full of colour, passion and atmosphere. It brings together the very best teams on the continent.

“This edition will take place in Morocco, a country that has become a benchmark for African football. Participating with Benin, especially after missing the last two editions, is a great source of pride.”

Benin’s first AFCON target is to win a match

On what lessons Benin learnt from the just concluded FIFA World Cup qualifiers, he said: “It was a long, intense campaign over two and a half years. Because our home stadium was not approved, we had to play all our “home” games abroad, mostly in South Africa — effectively making every game an away match.

“Despite these conditions, the team grew stronger mentally. We integrated several young players from the U20s, and half the current squad comes from that generation. That experience — of constant travel, pressure and adaptation — made us mature faster.

“Now, with good preparation in November and a training camp in Morocco, we’ll be ready for our first game against DR Congo.”

He concluded: “Our first goal is to win a match. In 2019, Benin reached the Round of 16 without a single victory in regular time. This time, we want that win — and we want to progress beyond the group stage.

“It won’t be easy with Senegal and DR Congo, but we believe it’s achievable. The team has made real progress and we’ll fight for every point.”

Benin will kick off against DR Congo on December 23.