Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr has announced his 25-man squad for the Cheetahs’ upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Footynaija.com reports.
Benin will take on Zimbabwe and South Africa in matchdays five and six as they look to strengthen their position in Group C. After stunning Nigeria’s Super Eagles last year, the Cheetahs are level on points with South Africa and Rwanda at the top of the group.
Rohr, who led Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup, has named a squad featuring three goalkeepers, nine defenders, seven midfielders, and six forwards.
Among the notable inclusions is Remo Stars goalkeeper Serge Obassa, a familiar name in the Nigeria Professional Football League.
The 28-year-old has been a standout performer this season, displacing Super Eagles invitee Kayode Bankole as Remo Stars’ first-choice keeper.
ÉLIMINATOIRES CDM 2026 : Le sélectionneur du Bénin, Gernot Rohr, adévoilé, ce jour, une liste de 25 joueurs convoqués pour les prochaines rencontres. Ces matchs opposeront le Bénin au Zimbabwe le 20 mars et à l’Afrique du Sud le 25 mars.#ÉliminatoiresCdm2026 #Bénin pic.twitter.com/uRknLCc3C9
— Carréfoot (@Carre_foot) March 10, 2025
His contributions have been crucial in their title charge, with Remo Stars sitting atop the NPFL table, eight points clear of second-placed Rivers United, as they chase a maiden league crown.
Also earning a call-up is Candas Fiogbé, who is a 20-year-old forward finding his feet at Atalanta where Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman is their brightest star.
Steve Mounié, who shares a dressing room with Nigeria international Frank Onyeka at Augsburg, also makes the squad.
Benin will be hoping their mix of home-based and European-based talent can deliver crucial results in their bid for a World Cup spot.
Benin Republic 25-man squad
Goalkeepers: Marcel Dandjinou (JDR Stars FC/South Africa), Saturnin Allagbé (Botev Vratsa/Bulgaria), Serge Obassa (Remo Stars/Nigeria)
Defenders: Yohan Roche (Petrolul/Romania), David Kiki (Steaua Bucharest/Romania), Rachid Moumini (Ayema/Benin), Mohamed Tijani (Yverdon Sport/Switzerland), Moïse Adilehou (Laval/France), Rabiou Sankamao (Wydad de Fez/Morocco), Rodrigue Fassinou (Coton/Benin), Ouorou Tamimou (Hatta/Water), Brandon Agounon
Midfielders: Mariano Ahouangbo (As Soliman/Tunisia) Ghislain Ahoudo (AS Gabès/Tunisia), Samadou Attidjikou (Al Masry/Egypt), Dodo Dokou (SC Smouha/Egypt), Sessi d’Almeida (Apollon Limassol/Cyprus), Imourane Hassane (Grasshoper Zurich/Switzerland), Matteo Ahlinvi (Arsenal Tula/Russia)
Forwards: Steve Mounié (Augsburg/Germany), Andréas Hountondji (Standard de Liège/Belgium), Junior Olaitan (Grenoble FC/France), Jodel Dossou (Victoria Rosport/Luxembourg), Steve Warren Traoré (Haka/Finland), Candas Fiogbé (Atalanta/Italy)