Gernot Rohr and Benin National Team's Journey Back to Africa Cup of Nations

Coach Gernot Rohr has strengthened Benin's national team, leading them back to the Africa Cup of Nations with strategic changes.

Appointed as head coach of the Benin national team in February 2023, Gernot Rohr quickly made his mark. The restructuring work he initiated upon his arrival is already bearing fruit, as evidenced by the team's return to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations after missing two editions.

Name: Gernot Rohr
Place of Birth: Mannheim (Germany)
Age: 71
Team: Benin

Coaching Career
A former professional footballer who played for “Bayern Munich”, Waldhof Mannheim, “Kickers Offenbach” in Germany, and “Girondins de Bordeaux” in France, Rohr began his coaching career in 1990. The “Girondins de Bordeaux” were the first to entrust him with their coaching duties, allowing him to work alongside young talents such as Zinedine Zidane and Bixente Lizarazu, leading them to the 1996 UEFA Cup final against “Bayern Munich”. He stayed with Bordeaux until 1992, before returning for another stint with the club in 1996. Rohr also coached “US Créteil” (1999-2000), “OGC Nice” (2002-2005), “Young Boys of Bern” (2005-2006), “AC Ajaccio” (2007-2008), and “FC Nantes” (2009).

His African coaching career began in the 2008-2009 season when he took over the technical staff of Étoile Sportive du Sahel. He later returned to the Gabon national team, coaching them from 2010 to 2012, guiding the Panthers to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations during the edition co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. He also coached Niger from 2012 to 2014, before a brief tenure with Burkina Faso's national team in 2015. One of his most significant experiences came during his time as head coach of Nigeria from 2016 to 2021. Under his guidance, the Super Eagles secured third place at the 2019 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt and qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia (where they were eliminated in the group stage). He was appointed as head coach of the Benin national team in February 2023, succeeding Michel Dussuyer.

Playing Style
Gernot Rohr favors the 4-2-3-1 formation, a system that ensures balance by combining solid defensive coverage with numerous creative attacking options. However, in general, the Franco-German coach adapts his tactical approach based on the opponent. "There is no fixed style for each match," he said in a recent interview. He places a strong emphasis on combativeness, sacrifice for the team and the country, solidarity, attacking play, determination, effectiveness, rigor, and discipline.

Experience in the Africa Cup of Nations
Gernot Rohr is no stranger to the Africa Cup of Nations. The Franco-German coach led Nigeria to third place in the 2019 edition in Egypt. It was also under his guidance that Gabon reached the quarter-finals in 2012, during the tournament co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Did You Know?
Gernot Rohr was part of the “Bayern Munich” team that won the Bundesliga in 1973 and 1974, before going on to win the European Cup (now the Champions League) in 1974.