Head coach of the Benin Republic National football team Gernot Rohr is hoping his team will secure a win against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Uyo, Soccernet.ng reports.
The German tactician was in charge of the Nigerian team between 2016 and 2021, taking the Super Eagles to the 2018 FIFA World Cup and winning the bronze medal at the AFCON 2019 tournament.
Rohr was fired just before the AFCON 2021 tournament in Cameroon, and while Nigeria didn’t perform well in the competition, the 72-year-old is eyeing another chance to avenge the poor treatment he got from the NFF.
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Rohr looks to edge Super Eagles
Nigeria have lost just one game in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers campaign, and that was to Benin in June 2024, with Finidi George on the sidelines for the three-time AFCON winners.
Now, with the stakes at a much more higher level, Rohr wants the Benin players to grab all three points in Uyo tomorrow.
“It was a difficult game [against Rwanda], of course. Rwanda wanted absolutely to win and we wanted to enjoy, in the end, the victory, but we still have to do something great in Uyo,” the former Bordeaux coach told Osasu Obayiuwana in quotes revealed by The Guardian.
“We have lost two players (for the match against Nigeria) as a result of a second yellow card, but all is possible for the three teams – SouthAfrica, Benin and Nigeria. We now have the decision (to win in Uyo) in our hands.”
“This can be a little advantage, but we will see. It’s big suspense, until the end (of the qualifying series).
“When they heard Bafana Bafana Coach, Hugo Broos, say that Benin cannot win against Rwanda and Nigeria, my players were very upset.
“They are now within reach of a FIFA World Cup ticket. We look forward to a grand match against Nigeria in Uyo.
“Playing against (Victor) Osimhen, (Ademola) Lookman, (Moses) Simon, (Alex) Iwobi. That’s another story. This result builds confidence,” the one-time AFCON bronze medallist concluded.
90 minutes separate Benin from a debut World Cup entry. They’re currently top of Group C with 17 points from nine games.