The Benin national team coach, Gernot Rohr, strongly criticized FC Lorient’s decision to play striker Aiyegun Tosin in the Ligue 1 match against OM while the player was still recovering from a thigh injury. Rohr, speaking on Canal 3 Benin, was very surprised to see Tosin play the last 15 minutes as the player still felt mild pain, making his entry very reckless.
Born in Lagos and capped 17 times for Benin, Tosin had to skip the previous national team call-up due to this muscle injury and returned to Lorient for medical treatment. Despite this, Lorient’s staff apparently chose to field him in the heavy 4-0 loss to Marseille, a decision that frustrated the German coach who wants to protect his key player’s condition.
Rohr’s concern is heightened because Benin is still in the running for the 2026 World Cup qualification, with crucial upcoming matches against Rwanda and Nigeria where Tosin’s optimal health will be decisive. The coach is communicating with Lorient’s medical staff to ensure better management of the player’s recovery.
At only 27 years old, Tosin is a major player for FC Lorient with 2 goals and 5 assists in 16 appearances this season. His premature return highlights the tension between club competitive demands and the need for caution regarding international fixtures. Meanwhile, Lorient continues to manage several injured players, and Tosin, who resumed collective training after his national team duty, remains closely monitored for his physical condition.