Exclusive: Gernot Rohr Made us Believe The Impossible, Says Remo Stars’ Goalkeeper Obassa

One of the surprises of the just-concluded AFCON qualifiers was the Cheetahs of Benin Republic, who made it to the AFCON tournament for the first time after missing two previous editions.

The Benin Republic team last participated in the biennial tournament in 2019, where they finished eighth, getting to the quarterfinal.

After 2019, it was a short hiatus for the Cheetahs, who failed at the qualification stage until Gernot Rohr, a former coach of the Super Eagles, took over at the helms of affairs, helping them break through the jinx of qualifying for the AFCON.

Speaking about the exploit of the Benin Republic football team, Adebiyi Obassa, who ply his trade with Nigerian club Remo Stars, told SportsBoom.com how big the influence of Gernot Rohr has affected the mentality of the team. 

Obassa, who was an invited player during the last international break against Nigeria and Libya, praised the Franco-German for bringing the best in the team and also expressed his excitement for qualifying for the AFCON.

“It's a tremendous honour and a source of great pride for me to have qualified for the tournament. Since 2019, we've been working tirelessly towards this goal, and it's a relief to have finally achieved it.”

"I have immense respect for Gernot Rohr, who is an exceptional person. From the moment he arrived in Benin, he launched a project focused on trusting young players. The 28-year-old goalie described.”

He went further to say that Rohr’s experience has been a source of strength for the team, as they only recorded two defeats throughout the whole qualifying series. Benin Republic finished second behind Nigeria with eight points, recording two wins, draws, and defeats. 

"He offers us valuable advice, and his experience and work have earned him our respect. He firmly believes in his project, and his dedication is inspiring."

Speaking about their expectations for the AFCON, Obassa highlighted that errors made during the qualifiers would have been corrected. 

“I'm humbled to be part of this group that has written a new chapter in our history. We're eager to learn from our mistakes and make a strong impression in Morocco.”

Experience in Libya 

The Cheetahs also encountered similar problems just as Nigeria did during their visit to Libya during the AFCON qualifiers. 

Obassa recounted the hostile situation the team had during their trip to Benghazi, but what kept them moving was the sight of the AFCON. 

“Our recent trip to Libya was extremely challenging. Despite the qualification easing the tension somewhat, the experience was far from easy. Before the trip, we had doubts due to the incidents with Nigeria.

"During the match, the crowd's behaviour was hostile, and they even whistled our national anthem. After the game, the situation escalated, with fans invading the field, and we had to rush to the locker room for safety.

"The journey back to the hotel was complicated, with projectiles being thrown at us, resulting in some players and staff members being injured. Our coach and his assistant were among those hurt. It was a painful experience, but as we say in our country, "the greatest victories come from pain."

The goalkeeper then buttressed that CAF should look into the issue and enforce stringent measures to avoid situations like this.

“I wouldn't presume to advise CAF, but the scenes we witnessed on the football field were heartbreaking. African football deserves better. I hope CAF will take the necessary measures to prevent any team from experiencing a similar situation in the future. African football should embody the values of love, fair play, and respect for others.”

Debut season with Remo Stars 

Obassa’s first competitive game for Nigerian topflight club Remo Stars was during the CAF Champions League prelim against AS FAR of Morroco for the double-legged affair. Ever since then, the Benionse has gone on to be the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, registering seven clean sheets so far this season. 

Obassa, in his words, appreciated the club management and players for making his arrival comfortable. 

“My experience with Remo Stars has been excellent so far. I've received a warm welcome from everyone, and I'm thrilled to be part of this team.

"As my first experience outside of Benin, I'm grateful for the love and acceptance I've received from the managers, staff, partners, and fans. I hope to repay this kindness by bringing titles to the team.”