Confirmed: Rohr will not be able to count on the services of 16-goal striker in WCQ v Nigeria

Former Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr will not be able to count on the services of in-form forward Andreas Hountondji on June 10 when Benin's Cheetahs face off with the Super Eagles in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.

The Fédération Béninoise de Football confirmed on Saturday evening that Hountondji will not play the matches against Rwanda and Nigeria, corresponding to the third and fourth matchdays of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The Rodez AF striker has withdrawn from the squad after failing to recover from an injury he sustained during the Ligue 1/Ligue 2 playoff match against AS Saint-Étienne on May 24.

Hountondji pulling out of the squad is a big blow for Rohr as the Caen-owned forward caught the eye in the recently concluded season, scoring sixteen goals in 39 all-competition appearances. 

The Fédération Béninoise de Football informed that a replacement will not be called up for the French-born forward.

Gernot Rohr worked with twenty-two players during Saturday's training session in Cocody, with three players of Nigerian descent n attendance, namely Junior Olaïtan, Samson Akinyoola, Tosin Ayiegun.

The two players still being expected to link up with the Cheetahs are Mattéo Ahlinvi and Mohamed Tidjani. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com