Gernot Rohr (Benin): “Being an outsider is not a problem in itself”
· Gernot Rohr prepares to lead Benin into his fourth TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations
· Under his guidance, the Cheetahs finished the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with 17 points, level with Nigeria – a clear sign of their growth on the continent
· With experience and unity as key assets, Benin now aim to take the next step in Morocco
A new chapter for Benin football
Under the leadership of Gernot Rohr, Benin have entered a new era — one driven by ambition, discipline and belief.
The German tactician, who previously coached Gabon, Niger and Nigeria, has instilled a new energy and structure into the team. His philosophy — built on defensive solidity and swift transitions — has allowed the Cheetahs to compete with some of Africa’s top nations.
In the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Benin impressed with consistent performances, collecting 17 points to finish level with Nigeria. Among the highlights was a historic victory against Nigeria in Abidjan, ending their long unbeaten streak.
As the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 approaches, Benin find themselves in a challenging Group D alongside Senegal, DR Congo and Botswana. Despite the competition, Rohr’s side are determined to make their mark.
CAFOnline.com: This will be your fourth TotalEnergies CAF AFCON. What does the competition mean to you personally?Gernot Rohr: 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.
Memories from Gabon, Niger and Nigeria
CAFOnline.com: What memories do you keep from your previous AFCON experiences?Rohr: I have only great memories. With Gabon in 2012, as hosts, we won all three group games against Tunisia, Morocco and Niger — a fantastic achievement. We were later eliminated by Mali on penalties in the quarter-finals, but it was a beautiful moment with the entire nation behind us.
With Niger in 2013, it was a surprise appearance. The country was still growing in football terms, and qualifying after beating Guinea was already a major success.
Then, with Nigeria in 2019, we had a very strong tournament — beating South Africa 2-1 in the quarter-finals, narrowly losing 2-1 to Algeria (the eventual champions), and finishing third after defeating Tunisia 1-0.
The evolution of African football
CAFOnline.com: How has the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON evolved in your view?Rohr: The tournament has grown immensely. The expansion from 16 to 24 teams has made it more inclusive and competitive. Technological advances like VAR have added fairness.
On the organisational side, standards are much higher now. Having attended the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire as a consultant, I saw firsthand how impressive it was. I’m confident Morocco will take things even further — in terms of organisation, technology, hospitality, and facilities.
CAFOnline.com: After many years in Africa, do you still feel the need to prove something?Rohr: Absolutely. Wherever you go, you must prove you can bring value — to the players, to the football culture, and to the nation. Football is not war, but it is a battle built on respect and discipline.
With Benin, we had to show that we could qualify for a major tournament and compete with the best. We narrowly missed the World Cup, but the journey continues. I always tell my players: progress must come both in performance and in mentality.
CAFOnline.com: What do you think of your group — Senegal, DR Congo and Botswana?Rohr: It’s a very tough group. Senegal and DR Congo are African powerhouses, and Botswana are developing fast.
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.
Lessons from the World Cup qualifiers
CAFOnline.com: What lessons did you draw from the recent World Cup campaign?Rohr: 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.
From lessons to confidence
CAFOnline.com: Can that experience serve as a springboard for AFCON 2025?
Rohr: Yes, absolutely. Finishing level on points with Nigeria gives us great confidence. Beating them in Abidjan, their only loss, was symbolic of our progress. We learned to deal with adversity, travel fatigue, and limited recovery time — all of which will help us in Morocco.
“Being an outsider is not a problem”
CAFOnline.com: Benin are often labelled as underdogs. Do you like that role?
Rohr:
Being an outsider just means you’re not yet among the top-ranked nations. I don’t mind that at all. The FIFA rankings reflect past results — and we’re working to climb higher through consistency.
Of course, smaller nations sometimes have to fight harder to get recognition. But that’s part of the journey. With our qualification for AFCON and strong World Cup campaign, Benin — now the “Cheetahs,” not the “Squirrels” — are earning respect on the African stage.
Looking ahead to Morocco 2025
CAFOnline.com: What are your objectives for this AFCON?
Rohr:
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.
CAFOnline.com: Finally, what headline would you love to see after the tournament?
Rohr: “The Miracle of Benin.” It reminds me of the 1954 World Cup final, when Germany beat Hungary 3–2 — a triumph against the odds. We dream of writing our own version of that story.