“One win can already open the door to the Round of 16,” says Gernot Rohr ahead of DR Congo-Benin.
At a press conference on Monday, on the eve of the match against DR Congo, head coach Gernot Rohr laid out a clear ambition: to give Benin its very first victory in the Africa Cup of Nations. A historic success that could pave the way to qualification for the round of 16.
Le sélectionneur national du Bénin, Gernot Rohr, en conférence de presse à Cotonou ce mardi 6 juin 2023
On the eve of the Leopards’ opener against DR Congo, Gernot Rohr set a clear and determined course. In a press conference, the Benin coach recalled the historic stakes surrounding this first AFCON 2025 fixture: finally clinching a victory in the tournament.
The Franco-German technician does not hide it. For Benin, the primary objective is above all symbolic. In four appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Beninese team has never tasted success. A heavy finding, which Rohr hopes to turn into motivation. “The ambition is simple”, he insisted, stressing that winning this first match could change the Leopards’ fate.
Facing DR Congo, a familiar adversary in continental clashes, the challenge looks sizable. But the 72-year-old coach also sees an opportunity. A victory to start with would not only break an historic glass ceiling, but also allow more confident projection toward a qualification to the round of 16. “Winning this match could already open a door,” he insisted.
In a tough group, every point will count. For Benin, this first meeting goes beyond the sporting scope. It is about crossing a threshold, to finally inscribe itself in AFCON history not just through honorary participations. It is now up to its players to translate this ambition onto the pitch and to deliver to the Leopards a long-awaited victory.