Benin Republic’s defensive lineup has taken a significant hit as Olivier Verdon has been ruled out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Nigeria and Libya due to an injury.
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Verdon’s absence comes as a blow to head coach Gernot Rohr, who now faces a challenging task in preparing his defense for these crucial matchups.
Verdon’s withdrawal from the squad follows the earlier sidelining of another key defender, Cédric Hountondji, also out with an injury.
The Cheetahs are set to face the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Thursday at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, a fixture that already presents a formidable challenge.
Four days later, Benin will travel to face the Mediterranean Knights of Libya, further intensifying the demands on their reshaped backline.