Benin coach Gernot Rohr expressed pride in his team’s performance despite their narrow 1–0 defeat to DR Congo in their AFCON 2025 Group D opener in Rabat.
Théo Bongonda’s 16th‑minute strike was enough to give the Leopards all three points at Al Madina Stadium, but Rohr felt the match was far more balanced than the scoreline suggested.
Reflecting on the game, Rohr said his side had produced a strong display in difficult circumstances, as Benin were missing five key players through suspension and were also trying out a new tactical system for the first time.
“We witnessed a very good football match that did not deserve to have a loser. My team made me proud. It was the first time we played with this system. We will now prepare well for the match against Botswana, with the advantage of having our suspended players back,” he said.
The Cheetahs struggled early on against DR Congo’s intense pressing and sharp movement, with Bongonda punishing a defensive mix‑up to score past goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbé.
As the match wore on, Benin grew into the contest, pushing forward through quick transitions and set pieces, but they could not find a way past a disciplined Congolese defence.
