Benin Republic will be without defender Olivier Verdon for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games against Nigeria and Libya.

Verdon will miss both games as a result of injury.

The 29-year-old is one of the most reliable defenders in the team.

The centre-back’s absence will be a big blow to the team’s quest to secure a favourable result in the two games.

DAILY POST recalls that another highly-rated defender, Cédric Hountondji, has already been ruled out of the game due to injury.

The Cheetahs will host the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Felix Houphet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, on Thursday.

The West Africans will be away to the Mediterranean Knights of Libya four days later.

AFCON 2025 qualifiers: Benin Republic suffer another injury blow ahead Super Eagles clash