2023 AFCON Race: Rohr opens Benin account against Rwanda

Immediate Super Eagles ‘ foreign manager  Gernot  Rohr  will begin  a new lease of life today  as he leads  out neighbouring  Republic of Benin  against  visiting  Rwanda in a crucial  2023 Africa Cup of Nations  (AFCON).

The vastly travelled  German  who was recently  contracted by the Benin Football Federation, told  NationSport , that he  would be expecting his wards to fire  on all cylinders  and lived up  to their  new monicker  after  they recently  swapped  their long-known Les Ecureuils (The Squirrels)    to Les Guépards (The Cheetahs).

Related posts

Emmanuel Eboue disclosed that he had thought about taking his own life when his spouse took all of his wealth and left him penniless.

Apr 15, 2023

The court has mandated that Achraf Hakimi’s wife must equitably divide the wealth she has accumulated during their marriage with her husband

Apr 15, 2023

Benin have not qualified for the prestigious AFCON since their last appearance at Egypt 2019 and Rohr’s job is already cut out as they tried to pull their chestnuts from the fire in the 2023 Qualifying Group L section where they are currently bottom of the section behind Senegal, Mozambique and Rwanda after losing their opening two matches to Senegal (3-1 away) and 1-0 home loss to Mozambique.

Their  double header against third -placed Amavubi (The Wasps) of Rwanda starts today at the Stade de l’Amitie  (Friendship Stadium) in Cotonou  and the 69-year-old trainer said the Beninese side  would be  fast and furious b  to pull their chestnuts from the fire since cheetahs are widely regarded as the fastest land animals.

“ Benin are no longer  The Squirrels but are now Les Guépards (The Cheetahs),”the former Bordeaux and Nice coach  told NationSport.“ Of course, The Cheetah is a better name; more aggressive.”

Incidentally,  the former  Niger and  Gabon coach  had earlier  told  NationSport exclusively  that  he was not oblivious of the challenges  ahead  after signing a three-year deal to tinker the Beninese side.

He said: “ Yes, it would be difficult (to qualify for the next AFCON) because they have already lost the first two matches. Of course, the games against Rwanda would be decisive and we must do our best to win the next game at home on March 22 and the reverse fixture in Kigali on March 27.

“ And we also know that the second game away to Rwanda will also be difficult but you know,  I’m not afraid of the difficult work.”