Gernot Rohr is counting on Junior Olaitan to provide creativity and attacking drive in midfield as Benin prepare to begin their CAN 2027 qualifying campaign.
The Besiktas player has been included in the squad selected by the Franco-German manager for the September-October international window. His technical ability and willingness to contribute in the final third have made him one of the players Rohr is expected to rely on in the Guepards’ midfield.
Olaitan’s development at club level has also given him greater experience as Benin prepare for their first official fixtures of the qualifying campaign. Rohr particularly values the midfielder’s ability to bring creativity and penetration to attacking phases.
The Guepards will open their campaign against Burkina Faso on 25 September. They will then host Mauritania four days later, with both matches representing the first competitive tests of Benin’s bid to qualify for CAN 2027.
Olaitan is therefore expected to have an important part in the team’s midfield organisation and attacking play. His inclusion comes as Rohr manages a squad affected by several absences.
Steve Mounie will miss the matches because of injury, while Olivier Verdon is unavailable through suspension. Those setbacks will leave Rohr without two experienced players as Benin face Burkina Faso in their opening fixture.
The match will be followed by Benin’s home meeting with Mauritania, giving the Guepards two early opportunities to make progress in the qualifying campaign.