By Olatunbosun Obafemi
Benin Republic head coach, Gernot Rohr, says his side is fully prepared for a tougher test when they face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier next week in Uyo.
Rohr’s Cheetahs boosted their qualification hopes on Friday with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali, thanks to a late strike from Tosin Aiyegun. The win threw Group C wide open, with Benin (17 points), South Africa (15), and Nigeria (14) still in contention for a ticket to the global showpiece in North America.
Speaking after the game, Rohr admitted that the clash in Kigali was more about getting results than entertaining fans.
“It was a very tactical match – a difficult match with very little football,” Rohr said. “Since it was so important, you can’t come here to put on a show. We were here to get a result.”
Next up for the former Super Eagles boss is a return to familiar territory – Uyo – where he will lead Benin against Nigeria, the team he guided to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“Playing against (Victor) Osimhen, (Ademola) Lookman, (Moses) Simon, (Alex) Iwobi – that’s another story,” Rohr added. “This result builds confidence.”
A win for Benin in Uyo would guarantee their place at the 2026 World Cup, regardless of other results. However, a draw or loss could allow South Africa or Nigeria to snatch qualification.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s preparations for the decisive encounter have been hit by the suspension of winger Ademola Lookman. The Atalanta star, a key creative outlet for the Super Eagles, picked up his second yellow card of the qualifiers during the 2–1 win over Lesotho in Polokwane – a reaction to a rough challenge that saw him grab his opponent by the shirt.
His absence is a major blow for the Eagles’ attack, as Lookman’s pace and direct play have been vital in the final third. He was replaced by Samuel Chukwueze shortly after the booking.
Despite the setback, Nigeria managed to claim all three points through a William Troost-Ekong penalty and a late Akor Adams goal.
With one game left, the Super Eagles sit third with 14 points, trailing Benin and South Africa. To qualify, Nigeria must beat Benin by at least two clear goals and hope South Africa fail to overcome Rwanda. Anything less would mean missing out on the World Cup for the second consecutive time after their absence from Qatar 2022.
