The Cheetahs of Benin Republic head coach, Genort Rohr, has announced a 25-man squad for their 2025 AFCON qualifiers tie against Nigeria in Uyo on 7 September and Libya three days later.
Jodel Dossou and Steve Mounie top the list of Rohr’s strikers for the clashes, while he also handed invites to two debutants, Bachirou Sika (Coton FC) and Samadou Attidjikou (Bani Gansè FC).
Rohr, a former Super Eagles coach, masterminded the Benin Republic’s 2-1 win over Nigeria during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June and will be facing his former employers for the first time in Nigeria since he left the job in 2021.
There’s been a major change in the Nigeria national team since their meeting in June, as well with Rohr’s fellow German, Bruno Labbadia, replacing Finidi George as head coach.
Labbadia will hope to get on to a perfect start in the first game of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers before regrouping the players for the continuation of the ill-fated 2026 World Cup qualifiers later in the year.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday announced Nigeria’s 23-man squad, which has sought 2023 AFCON MVP, William Troost-Ekong, to make a return to the team, as well as Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi and unsettled Napoli man Victor Osimhen.
Benin Republic full squad:
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.
