Former Nigeria Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has unleashed a furious tirade against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following a major Video Assistant Referee (VAR) failure that marred Benin Republic's opening match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
VAR System Collapse at Crucial Moment
The controversial incident occurred during Benin's 1-0 defeat to DR Congo at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. According to reports from Foot Africa, the VAR system experienced a complete technical breakdown and was unavailable for approximately 15 minutes during the second half.
It was during this blackout that Benin's players appealed for what appeared to be a clear penalty. DR Congo defender Chancel Mbemba seemed to handle the ball inside his own penalty area. With the VAR system offline and the match referee unable to review the incident, play was allowed to continue, sparking furious protests from the Benin bench and players.
Rohr's Scathing Critique of CAF and Refereeing
Speaking to the media after the final whistle, an irate Gernot Rohr did not hold back in his criticism. The German tactician, who now manages the Benin national team, questioned the overall standard of officiating at the tournament and specifically targeted CAF's organisation.
"I am very angry about the quality of refereeing at this AFCON," Rohr stated. "What is happening to the VAR? We were denied a penalty. Things are going crazy with CAF."
Rohr went a step further, suggesting that his team's status as a less prominent footballing nation influenced the decision-making. "It seems Benin is disregarded because we are a small country. This is a big mess," he added, voicing a sentiment that resonates with many smaller federations on the continent.
Broader Tournament Organisation Issues Revealed
The VAR controversy was not the only grievance aired by the Benin camp. Rohr revealed additional problems with the tournament's logistical operations, highlighting an incident where a member of his technical staff was barred from entering an empty stadium.
"I sent my staff to Tangier for scouting and he was not even allowed into an empty stadium," Rohr explained. "He had to watch on TV somewhere."
This revelation points to broader operational shortcomings that have put CAF under increased scrutiny early in the tournament. The match itself was decided by a 16th-minute goal from Theo Bongonda, who capitalised on a defensive error. DR Congo's victory was overshadowed by the officiating drama, which has now led to formal action.
Benin Republic has submitted an official petition to CAF protesting the events of the match. This adds to the existing pressure on the continental body, as DR Congo also has a separate petition pending at FIFA, submitted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Rohr's forceful comments have amplified calls for CAF to urgently address both the reliability of its technology and the consistency of its refereeing standards to protect the integrity of Africa's premier football competition.
