Benin Republic head coach, Gernot Rohr has downplayed his team’s 3-0 defeat to the Super Eagles in Uyo, stating that the loss is not a major concern and expressing confidence that other teams in the group will face similar challenges when they play against Nigeria.
Rohr’s side fell to the Super Eagles on Saturday, marking Nigeria’s return to winning ways after a surprising 2-1 loss to Benin Republic back in June.
Benin’s #8 Hassane Imourane fights for the ball with Nigeria’s #11 Samuel Chukwueze during the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers group C football match. (Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Rohr acknowledged Nigeria’s strength but emphasized that the competition remains wide open among three teams in the group, with Nigeria holding an advantage.
“We lost 3-0 to Nigeria, we were in a good position, we held the game until the 47th minute before we conceded.
Nigeria’s No.9 Victor Osimhen celebrates after scoring in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying match against Benin Republic in Uyo. Photo | X (VictorOsimhen9)
“We didn’t allow Nigeria to create many chances and we weren’t bad at all.”
“Until the 76th minute, we hoped to equalise and we did everything we could.”
“I believe Rwanda and Libya too will not win in Nigeria, so the qualifier in the group is about 3 teams and it starts for us on Tuesday.”
“The result doesn’t reflect what happened on the pitch.”
Benin Republic will face Libya in Abidjan on Tuesday for their second matchday in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Rohr aims to secure a second-place finish in the group, predicting Nigeria to finish first.
Benin has only featured in four AFCONs in 2004, 2008, 2010 and their last appearance in 2019.
Plus, they haven’t won a single match in the competition.
Also, they’re the first team to reach the quarter-finals of AFCON without ever winning a single competitive match in their participation history after beating Morocco in penalty shootout in 2019.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles will travel to Kigali to face Rwanda on Tuesday, seeking to build on their winning momentum and further strengthen their position in the group.
