CAN 2025: despite five key starters suspended, Gernot Rohr ready to take on DR Congo

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CAN 2025: despite five key starters suspended, Gernot Rohr ready to take on DR Congo

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CAN 2025: despite five key starters suspended, Gernot Rohr ready to take on DR Congo

Benin will kick off CAN 2025 with a massive handicap: five key players will be suspended for their opening match against DR Congo. A real shockwave... but not for head coach Gernot Rohr.

Rohr stays calm: “We’ll respond as a team”​

Junior Olaitan, Steve Mounié, Andreas Hountondji, Mohamed Tijani, and Marcel Dandjinou are all paying the price for card accumulations during the qualifiers. Despite this situation, the manager showed surprising composure. No complaints, no excuses. On the contrary, he emphasized the identity of his squad:

There’s always been great unity in my group. Now is the time to show it. Five players are missing, and not just anyone, but we’ll replace them as a team, with the grit and determination that’s absolutely essential.

Rohr knows DR Congo may feel they have the upper hand. He’s even using that to fire up his players’ pride:

Maybe the opponent will think it’ll be easy against us... but I believe we’ll have a strong, determined group—well-prepared and aggressive in the right way.

Gros coup dur pour les Guépards du Bénin

Pour son entrée en lice, Gernot Rohr devra faire sans 5 de ses titulaires !
Mounié, Olaitan, Andréas, Tijani et Dandjinou sont OUT pour cumuls de cartons. ‍ pic.twitter.com/T0OsDtDFv1

— VESTIAIRE 229 (boutique) (@vestiaire229) November 30, 2025

“The replacements will be highly motivated”​

The Franco-German tactician is now counting on those who will have the tough task of stepping into the starting lineup. He’s sending them a strong message of trust:

The five who will replace the suspended starters will be highly motivated, just like the rest of the squad—even those on the bench.

On paper, DR Congo are the favorites, but Gernot Rohr insists: Benin won’t just be spectators. This opening match, despite the absences, must be a showcase of character. For him, it’s a chance for new heroes to emerge and to prove that the Cheetahs never give up.

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