National Teams
Gernot Rohr warns Benin Republic to be wary of these four Nigerian players
By Wale Mustapha
Benin Republic’s national football team head coach, Gernot Rohr, has identified four key players in Nigeria’s Super Eagles who he believes could pose significant threats in their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
The Cheetahs will face Nigeria on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m.
Rohr, who is familiar with the Super Eagles from his previous tenure as their head coach, is well aware of the dangers posed by key Nigerian players.
He singled out Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Ola Aina, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru as players who could make a substantial impact in the match.
“This is a very important game for us,” Rohr stated during a press briefing on Friday in Uyo.
“My job is now with Benin, and we are prepared to face Nigeria. Unfortunately, we will be missing a key player, Mohamed Tijani, due to injury, but we have replacements ready. The other players are here.”
Rohr noted the difference from their previous encounter in June, highlighting the presence of several prominent Nigerian players who were unavailable at that time.
“It’s not the same situation now because Nigeria has a complete team. We didn’t see Osimhen, Moses Simon, Ola Aina, or Dele-Bashiru in June. Their presence makes this game more challenging for us,” he said.
Acknowledging the strength of the Nigerian squad, Rohr also pointed out some challenges faced by his own team.
“Some of my players are lacking game time at their clubs, and the start of the season has been tough for them. However, we are united and in good spirits, and we hope to see a good game in a full stadium tomorrow.”
The match promises to be a competitive and exciting encounter as both teams vie for a strong start in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
