Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr has admitted that facing the Super Eagles of Nigeria will be a completely different challenge as his side prepare for their decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo.
The Cheetahs head into the clash with renewed confidence after grinding out a 1–0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali — a result that reignited their qualification hopes and restored belief in Rohr’s rebuild.
Rohr’s Cheetahs building belief ahead of Super Eagles clash
It wasn’t a game for the purists, but Benin Republic got the job done in Kigali. Tosin Aiyegun’s composed strike ten minutes from time secured all three points, sealing a hard-fought win that spoke volumes about the team’s growing resilience under Rohr’s leadership.
The German tactician, who once managed Nigeria’s Super Eagles, admitted the victory over Rwanda came from tactical discipline rather than flair—a calculated performance built around efficiency and defensive compactness.
“It was a very tactical match, a difficult match with very little football,” Rohr told reporters. “You can’t come here to put on a show. We were here to get a result.”
Former Super Eagles boss aims to prove a point in Uyo
For Rohr, next week’s encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium carries an added layer of intrigue.
It’s a reunion with familiar faces — Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, and Alex Iwobi — players he once coached during his tenure with Nigeria.
Now on the opposite bench, Rohr knows the scale of the challenge.
“Playing against Osimhen, Lookman, Simon, and Iwobi—that’s another story,” he said, hinting at the attacking firepower his side must contain.
Still, the Benin Republic coach believes his team’s gritty win over Rwanda provides a platform to build from.
With one game left, the Cheetahs remain in contention, and Rohr’s experience could be the edge they need as they chase an unlikely qualification berth.
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