'They are not here' - Rohr rues the absence of three French-born players and Kiki for Afconq v Nigeria

Speaking at a press conference, Benin coach Gernot Rohr expressed regret over the absence of four key players for his side's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Nigeria.

The German football tactician will not be able to count on the services of three French-born players for Thursday's match, namely Mattéo Ahlinvi (Västerås SK), Cédric Hountondji (Angers) and Olivier Verdon (Ludogorets Razgrad).

In addition to the aforementioned players, FC Steaua București star David Kiki is also not available for selection.

Hountondji is suffering from a torn hamstring, David Kiki has played just three times for his Romanian club this season due to fitness issues, while Mattéo Ahlinvi got injured on the final day of the 2024 Allsvenskan season, on November 10.

In contrast, Nigeria head into the showdown at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan with an almost complete squad, despite the absences of West Brom central defender Semi Ajayi and Porto fullback Zaidu Sanusi.

Rohr has to tweak his lineup to make up for the missing quartet Ahlinvi, Hountondji, Verdon and Kiki.

"We are missing key players, but we will do without them. In the middle, we would have liked to have Cédric and Olivier with us, but they are not here ," Rohr was quoted as saying by Benin Web TV.

Ahead of the West African derby, the Super Eagles are topping Group D of Afcon qualifying with ten points, needing just a single point to confirm their qualification for next year’s tournament in Morocco.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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