2026 World Cup Qualifier: Rohr warns Zimbabwe will pose tough challenge for Nigeria

By Monsurah Olatunji

Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr has issued a stern warning ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Zimbabwe, predicting a tough contest when both teams meet on Tuesday.

Rohr, who previously managed the Nigerian national team for over five years, emphasized that Zimbabwe will fight hard despite their slim chances of qualification.

Rohr’s comments come after his Benin side was held to a 2-2 draw by Zimbabwe in a recent qualifier. Despite leading 2-0, the Benin team saw their advantage slip away in the second half, resulting in a share of the points. Rohr, however, acknowledged Zimbabwe’s resilience, stating that the draw was fair, with Zimbabwe showing strong character in the latter stages of the game.

“They [Zimbabwe] dominated the second half, but I believe the 2-2 result was a fair reflection. A draw always means one point,” Rohr said after the match. “It was Zimbabwe’s last chance to qualify for the World Cup, and now with three points, it’s finished for them. But they’re still fighting hard.”

Looking ahead to Nigeria’s clash with Zimbabwe, Rohr stressed that the Warriors will not ease up, despite their World Cup hopes being all but dashed. “I know that with this coach and his staff, Zimbabwe will give the same effort against Nigeria in Uyo, as well as against Rwanda and Lesotho,” he said.

As the group standings remain tight, Rohr highlighted the importance of every match. With South Africa currently leading the group by two points, and Nigeria coming off a 2-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali, Rohr believes that teams must remain focused and competitive in each of their remaining fixtures.

“The group is very close. South Africa is two points ahead of us, three more than Rwanda, and Nigeria has their first win. Everyone in the group has to beat the other teams, so we have to beat South Africa,” Rohr added.

The upcoming encounter between Nigeria and Zimbabwe is set to be a crucial fixture in the race for World Cup qualification, with Rohr’s Benin side also looking to secure vital points in their own bid.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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