The Benin Republic national football team will be without two key defenders when they face Nigeria in the second leg fixture of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match later today at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Burnley central defender Cedric Hountondji, who was expected to anchor the defense, has been ruled out due to injury, joining Olivier Verdon, a central defender for Bulgarian club Ludogorets Razgrad, on the sidelines.
Benin’s coach, Gernot Rohr admitted that the loss of Hountondji, in particular, will be keenly felt as they prepare to face one of Africa’s most potent attacking units, led by the likes of Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen, and Victor Boniface.
“It is a big loss for us. We will miss Cedric a lot. It’s not easy to replace him. But we will have to adapt, and we will play a flat-back four to try and contain the Nigerian attack, which is very strong.”
With Hountondji and Verdon both absent, Rohr will look to big central defender Mohamed Tijani to partner Yohan Roche at the heart of the defense. The fullback positions remain uncertain, with Rachid Moumini and David Kiki vying for the roles.
The former Nigerian coach, also praised Lookman, who has been in superb form for Italian club Atalanta, as the best player in Africa right now and a potential winner of the African Player of the Year award.
“For me, Lookman is the best one in Africa to win the golden award for the footballer of the year; he is a fantastic player,” Rohr said, speaking to Nations Sports.
Lookman, along with Osimhen and Boniface, has been in scintillating form, with the trio netting a combined 32 goals for their respective clubs.
Lookman, Osimhen, and Boniface have each scored eight goals for their European sides this season, while the inclusion of Moses Simon—known for his ability to stretch defenses—adds another layer of danger for Benin.
Rohr will have to find a way to contain a Nigerian attack that is regarded as one of the best not only in Africa but globally.
“Nigeria’s attack is among the most dangerous in the world right now. They have players who can score at any moment.”
Nigeria currently top Group D with 10 points, while Benin sit second with six points.
A victory for the Super Eagles would secure their place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, rendering their final match against Rwanda in Uyo irrelevant.
For Benin, a win is essential to narrow the gap and keep their hopes alive heading into their final qualifier against Libya in Tripoli.
