Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has revealed why one of his star players has been omitted from their squad set to face Bafana Bafana in their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
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The West African nation is still very much in contention for an automatic qualification spot for the global spectacle in the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico next year, as they are one of three sides in Group C currently on seven points, along with Rwanda and South Africa.
Their only defeat so far in World Cup qualification was a 2-1 loss to Hugo Broos' charges in Durban, but next week, the Cheetahs will have the opportunity to rectify that when they play the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations bronze medallists in Ivory Coast in two weeks.
While they may be level on points with the 1996 African champions, if they are to defeat Bafana, they will have to do so without the services of star defender Olivier Verdon.
The French-born central defender was also not part of the national team squad for their final set of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to an alleged injury, but Rohr has stated that was not the case and that he is now being punished for his lack of communication.
"It's a slightly different case. He's not injured, but there were communication issues and also mutual respect issues that meant we couldn't have him for the last two decisive matches," the German tactician told members of the media after his squad announcement, as per Afrik Foot.
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"He forgot to explain to us, or even to send us the real reasons for his absence. He was punished by being excluded from his two matches. We're in contact with him, he regrets his behaviour."
