AFCON: Benin to face DR Congo without five key players

Benin will be without five key players for their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) fixture against DR Congo. The Cheetahs, as they are nicknamed, are making their return to the biggest African football competition for the first time since 2019, when they reached the quarterfinals.

Benin coach Gernot Rohr will be worried about the absence of key players due to suspension and injury. Benin captain Steve Mounie is still nursing an injury and missed recent friendly games in November. The lanky striker will be a huge miss if he fails to recuperate on time. Mounie’s striking partner, Andreas Hountondji, is suspended and will be missing for the DR Congo clash.

Defender Mohamed Tijani will also not be available for the first game. The withdrawal of goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou further weakens the squad, as does that of Junior Olaitan, playmaker for Göztepe, whose creativity has become a key element of the Benin system, reports Benin Football.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bénin Football (@beninfootball)

Rohr will need to rely on a change in system after the friendly defeat against Burkina Faso, where the team looked rusty and out of ideas. Benin’s greatest-ever performance was at the 2019 AFCON. The veteran German coach will be looking for inspiration from that tournament to make the team a fierce competitor.