AFCON 2025: “We’re expecting a tough match,” Gernot Rohr ahead of Benin vs. Senegal.
Gernot Rohr held a press conference this Monday, on the eve of the match against Senegal, for the third matchday of Group D at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. And the Benin coach expects a tough encounter against the Lions of Teranga.
Le sélectionneur national du Bénin, Gernot Rohr, en conférence de presse à Cotonou ce mardi 6 juin 2023
The Benin side will on Tuesday fight for qualification to the round of 16 at CAN 2025. The Cheetahs face Senegal as part of the third and final day of the group stage. Third in Group D with three points, the Beninese must snatch victory to advance directly to the next round, or concede a narrow defeat to finish among the four best third-placed teams.
A perilous mission for Steve Mounié’s side that will come up against a Senegalese team chasing a victory after its frustrating draw with DR Congo (1-1). And indeed, Gernot Rohr expects a difficult match against the Lions of Teranga. « We have won a CAN match now. The next challenge is to confirm the good game we played and to obtain a result that allows us to qualify (…) Senegal has among the best players of this CAN. Every time we have faced them, they have been very good matches. Tomorrow, we still expect a difficult encounter », said the Benin coach to the press.
And to beat Sadio Mané’s teammates, it will be necessary to defend and attack collectively, the 72-year-old coach warned. « It won’t be the work of just the four defenders, but of all eleven players. It will be necessary to organize well to prevent the Senegalese from expressing themselves », insisted Rohr. For a reminder, the Benin vs Senegal match is scheduled for Tuesday starting at 8:00 PM (Benin time).