Gernot Rohr Names Serge Obassa in Benin’s Final Squad for World Cup Qualifiers
Benin Republic head coach, Gernot Rohr, has unveiled his final 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and South Africa. Making headlines is the inclusion of Remo Stars goalkeeper, Serge Obassa, who has been impressive in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) this season.
Obassa, who earned his first call-up during a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Super Eagles of Nigeria last November, will be looking to establish himself as a reliable presence between the sticks for the Cheetahs.
Alongside Obassa, familiar faces like Captain Steve Mounié, Junior Olaitan, Tijani Mohamed, and Dossou Jodel have also been called up to boost the team’s hopes of securing positive results in the doubleheader.
The Cheetahs will first face the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Thursday, March 20, before hosting Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Abidjan just five days later.
Opinion: Can Serge Obassa Be the Game-Changer for Benin?
The inclusion of Serge Obassa could be a smart move by Gernot Rohr, as the goalkeeper has shown remarkable consistency and composure in the NPFL. Being a young and agile shot-stopper, his selection is not only a testament to his hard work but also a signal that Benin is looking to inject fresh talent into the squad.
However, while Rohr’s decision to include Obassa is commendable, there are questions about whether the goalkeeper can handle the pressure of high-profile international games against tough teams like South Africa and Zimbabwe. The Cheetahs’ defense will need to be solid, and Obassa’s composure under pressure will be crucial.
Rohr’s squad selection shows he’s mixing experience with fresh talent, which could be key to Benin’s success in the qualifiers. But will the decision to bring in a relatively inexperienced goalkeeper like Obassa pay off? Only time will tell.
What do you think? Can Serge Obassa prove himself as a reliable goalkeeper on the international stage?