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Gernot Rohr anticipates tough test against Nigeria in World Cup Qualifier
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr is expecting a difficult encounter when his side face Nigeria in their final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, next week.
The Cheetahs strengthened their qualification hopes on Friday night with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
Tosin Aiyegun scored the decisive goal ten minutes from time to seal the vital win.
Speaking after the game, Rohr admitted that the clash against Nigeria will pose a different level of challenge compared to their previous matches.
“It was a very tactical match — a difficult game with very little football,” Rohr said after the win in Kigali. “But since it was so important, you can’t come here to put on a show. We were here to get a result.”
The former Super Eagles coach acknowledged the quality of Nigeria’s squad and the task that awaits his team in Uyo.
“Playing against Osimhen, Lookman, Simon, Iwobi — that’s another story,” he noted. “This result builds confidence, but we know the next game will be much tougher.”
Benin Republic currently top Group C with 17 points, two ahead of South Africa and three clear of Nigeria, meaning a win in Uyo would seal their first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification.
