Gernot Rohr says Benin are determined to make the most of their “chance” to face Argentina and Lionel Messi at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires in the night between Tuesday and Wednesday.
The friendly will coincide with what is expected to be Messi’s final appearance for the Albiceleste, adding significance to an already unusual fixture for the Guepards.
Benin’s preparations have been complicated by a long journey and the staggered arrival of their squad. After playing Mauritania in an Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier in Abidjan – Benin currently have no approved stadium of their own – the team travelled to Argentina via Paris.
“ We are trying to prepare as well as possible,” said Rohr, Benin’s French-German head coach. “It is not easy because, after our match against Mauritania, we travelled to Argentina via Paris, but everyone did not arrive at the same time.”
Transport problems meant members of the delegation arrived in small groups between Thursday and Monday, with three players only joining the squad on Monday.
“That makes it difficult to prepare in the best conditions,” Rohr added. “The journey was very long and tiring, there is the time difference and so on, but we are very happy to be in Argentina.”
Reports had suggested the team hotel was below the usual standards, with some rooms lacking hot water, a fitness room that was too small and limited training facilities.
Rohr acknowledged there had been “small problems” in some rooms, but said efforts were being made to resolve them.
“We are not going to complain,” he said. “We have been welcomed very well by the Argentines. We have the chance to play against Argentina, one of the best national teams in the world, in a legendary stadium that will be full. 85,000 tickets have been sold because it will be Lionel Messi’s final match in the sky-blue and white shirt.”
Benin’s players earned their place on the trip after taking four points from their two recent Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers. They drew 1-1 with Burkina Faso before beating Mauritania 2-1 in Abidjan.
“I told everyone that, to hope to travel to Argentina, they had to be impeccable in the two qualifying matches,” Rohr said. “The message was understood. We first achieved a very good result by taking a point against Burkina Faso, then we dominated Mauritania. With four points, the record is positive, and we will have to confirm that in November in the two matches against Central African Republic.”
For many of the Benin squad, meeting Messi will be a unique experience.
“Many of my players have never had the opportunity to play against Messi, one of the best footballers in history,” Rohr said. “They are delighted, especially because they love Messi and see him as a fantastic player.”
He added that Benin would aim to compete seriously rather than simply mark the occasion.
“We are very happy to be here for what promises to be a special moment in football, not only for the Argentines,” Rohr said. “We will do everything to play well and live up to the event. Benin want to make a good impression and provide strong opposition.”
For Rohr, the match also offers a valuable learning opportunity.
“Playing a world-class team is a chance for Benin,” he said. “We will learn a lot from this. The journey was long and complicated, but in the end it will help us greatly.”
