Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr has expressed confidence and optimism as his team prepares for their final World Cup qualifying match against Nigeria.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Uyo, Rohr highlighted his team’s ambition to secure a historic spot at the World Cup.
“We are very happy to be here and to be in this position as leaders. Nobody could have believed that when we started the competition,” Rohr said.
“But now it’s a fantastic game — a final. And I believe that we have a good chance to go to the World Cup.”
Benin Republic, currently leading Group C, will face a formidable Nigerian side in a match that will determine their fate in the qualifiers.
Rohr, who previously coached Nigeria to World Cup qualification in 2018, acknowledged the weight of the occasion but emphasized his team’s readiness to embrace the challenge.
“We are the only team among the three [Benin, South Africa, Nigeria] that still has our destiny in our own hands,” he noted, pointing to Benin’s advantageous position.
Reflecting on Benin’s historic victory over Nigeria in Abidjan earlier in the qualifiers, Rohr
expressed belief in his team’s ability to pull off another upset.
“We know it would be a surprise to win here, but we already did it in Abidjan, so we will try to do it again,” he said.
Despite the high stakes, Rohr stressed the importance of maintaining a positive spirit.
“It’s not a war; it’s a football game,” he remarked. However, he acknowledged the challenges his team faces, with five players unavailable due to suspensions and injuries.
“We don’t have the same number of players as you have here — high-level players — but the team spirit is so good, and the collective is strong, so we still have hope,” he added.
Also read: Ademola Lookman Suspended for Super Eagles’ Crucial World Cup Qualifier vs Benin Republic
Rohr also addressed his tactical approach for the match, emphasizing a balance between control and counter-attacking opportunities.
“We want to control the game if possible, but we also want to play our counter-attacks because we have quick players,” he explained.
He further highlighted the team’s reliance on vertical football and their ability to utilize long
and diagonal passes to their speedy forwards.
The German tactician, who has deep ties to Nigerian football, dismissed any room for sentimentality despite his past connections.
“I have a lot of friends here, but this moment is not for emotion or memories. The moment is for a big match tomorrow — a fantastic football match,” he said.
Rohr also pointed out the inequities in the qualifying schedule, noting that Benin played all
their matches away, unlike South Africa, who benefited from hosting seven of their ten games.
He added that his team is accustomed to tough away fixtures, including a challenging qualifier in Libya under difficult conditions.
“We are here now, and we should really enjoy this game — stay relaxed and have a good match tomorrow,” he concluded.
The match is set to kick off at 5:00 p.m. local time at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
