Benin’s Bold Stand: Rohr Predicts a Tough AFCON Knockout Against Egypt
4 January 2026
Ahead of the Egypt clash
Gernot Rohr, head coach of Benin, warned that his side is not favorites to upset Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16. "We expect a very difficult game against a very strong opponent," he said at the pre-match press conference. He noted that Benin has gained experience facing the continent's big teams and will seek opportunities to deliver a solid showing.
Team news and optimism
Rohr stressed that while victory is not guaranteed, the squad is determined to compete at the highest level and perhaps reach the quarterfinals. He pointed to injuries and a suspension among players, but the group remains focused to rise to the occasion. Olivier Verdon, a Benin midfielder, added that the team will fight hard and aim to progress.
In parallel, the match details were shown with kick-off at 17:00 local time on January 5, 2026.
Punchline 1: If Benin pulls off the upset, I’ll rewrite the weather forecast to read sunny with confetti.
Punchline 2: And if Egypt wins, I’ll blame gravity for pulling the ball down—clearly the only factor steadier than my predictions.
