National Teams
2026 FIFA WCQ: Nigeria’s Onuachu eyes win in reunion with Benin coach Gernot Rohr

By Wale Mustapha
Nigeria striker Paul Onuachu is targeting a victory with the Super Eagles when they take on Benin Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Monday.
Onuachu, who started in Nigeria’s last qualifying game, where they played to a 1-1 draw with South Africa on Friday in Uyo, is also eager to face the Franco-German tactician once again.
The team, led by Coach George Finidi, must secure a victory in the match slated for Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Ivory Coast, having failed to record a win in their opening three games.
Onuachu expressed his anticipation of reuniting with Benin coach Gernot Rohr, who gave him his Super Eagles debut in 2019. Despite his gratitude, the Southampton forward emphasized that his focus remains on winning the match.
“It will be good to go to Benin and see him again and say hello because he gave me my first call-up. I thank him for that and I appreciate him. But that doesn’t mean for us not to go there and beat him,” Onuachu told Modo Victor.
Gernot Rohr was the coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles between 2016 and 2021 before he was sacked under controversial circumstances.