Gernot Rohr Warns Benin Players After Climbing to Top of World Cup Qualifying Group

Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr has urged his players to stay humble and focused after the team rose to the top of Group C in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The Cheetahs were handed a huge boost following FIFA’s decision to deduct three points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their clash against Lesotho.

The development pushed Benin Republic to the top of the table, level on 14 points with Bafana Bafana and three points ahead of Nigeria, who will face Lesotho on October 10 before meeting Rohr’s men four days later.

Despite the excitement surrounding the new standings, Rohr — who previously managed Nigeria’s Super Eagles — said he has personally reached out to his players, reminding them that the journey is far from over.

“We want to do the best we can,” Rohr told Société de radio et de télévision du Bénin.
“But for those who think we’re already at the World Cup because we happen to be first, we shouldn’t get too excited; it’s pointless.
I wrote this to my players and told some of them on the phone. We have to live up to the first place we’ve been given.”

With only two crucial games remaining — against Rwanda and Nigeria — Rohr’s caution comes at a time when expectations in Benin are soaring.

Opinion: Rohr’s Humility Is the Leadership Benin Needs Right Now

In an age where early success often breeds complacency, Gernot Rohr’s humility stands out. His message is simple but powerful — “being first doesn’t mean you’ve arrived.”

Benin’s climb to the top of Group C might have been helped by circumstance, but staying there will require discipline, composure, and belief. Rohr knows better than anyone how dangerous it can be to lose focus at this stage — he’s been in the trenches of African football long enough to understand that momentum shifts quickly.

The upcoming clash against Nigeria is more than just a qualifier; it’s a test of mentality. Will the Cheetahs play like underdogs with hunger, or like favorites burdened by pressure?

If Rohr’s words sink deep, Benin Republic might just be scripting one of Africa’s most inspiring football stories — from outsiders to serious World Cup contenders.