Benin national football team will head into their final international gathering of the sporting year with a significantly reshaped squad after injuries and player withdrawals forced head coach Gernot Rohr to rethink his plans.
The biggest setback for the Cheetahs is the absence of captain Steve Mounié, who has been ruled out with a meniscus injury.
The experienced striker is set to undergo surgery in Montpellier, leaving Benin without one of their most influential attacking players ahead of the upcoming camp.
Reports indicate his recovery period could last between one and five weeks, dealing a major blow to the team’s preparations.
Benin’s defensive options have also been weakened by the continued absence of Abdoul Rachid Moumini.
The right-back has not yet recovered from the injury he sustained during Benin’s match against Liberia national football team on 27 March and is not expected to return before next season.
Beyond the injury concerns, several senior players are also expected to miss the gathering for personal reasons or because they are being rested following demanding club campaigns.
Despite the growing list of absentees, Gernot Rohr and his technical staff reportedly see the situation as an opportunity to evaluate younger talent and expand the national team pool ahead of future competitions.
The revised squad is therefore expected to feature several emerging players eager to impress during the international window.
Preparations for the camp are scheduled to begin later this month, with the first group of available players assembling in Cotonou on 25 May before spending a week training in the Beninese capital.
The squad will then travel to Morocco in early June to continue preparations as Rohr assesses his reshaped team ahead of upcoming assignments.
