'I am convinced' - Benin coach Rohr insists Osimhen would not have scored if Afconq was played in Cotonou

Benin coach Gernot Rohr has emphasized that Victor Osimhen would not have scored the late equalizer in the Cheetahs' 1-1 draw with Nigeria in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on November 14 if the match had taken place in Cotonou.

With their stadiums declared substandard by the Confederation of African Football, Benin has had to move their home matches to a neutral venue.

The Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan was adopted by the Benin Football Federation for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. 

Mohamed Tijani gave the Cheetahs the lead in the 16th minute and they were close to getting the maximum points before Victor Osimhen stepped up to bag a point for the three-time African champions, heading the ball home from Moses Simon's cross in the 81st minute. 

In a recent interview with Bip Radio, Rohr voiced his frustration over the inability to host matches at the Stade de l'Amitié Général Mathieu Kérékou.

The former Bayern Munich defender feels the lack of support from the Beninese fans in the stands greatly affects the national team's performance.

In quotes relayed by Mega Sports, Rohr said: "I am convinced that the last ten minutes of the Benin-Nigeria match that was played in Abidjan, if it had been played in Cotonou with 30,000 people behind us, we would not have conceded Osimhen's equalizer. 

"Behind the two goals in Abidjan, there were the Nigerian supporters who kept chanting his name. 

"And I hope, and I am even sure, that Benin will do everything to have its stadium. We must be able to dream."

Benin clinched a ticket to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco by virtue of finishing second in Group D of the qualifiers, after securing the point they needed in a hard-fought goalless draw against Libya. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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