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| German coach Gernot Rohr has criticized Nigeria's mentality in Benin Republic's 2-1 win over the Super Eagles and is determined to beat Nigeria to the World Cup ticket. (Photo credit: GOAL) |
Former Super Eagles and the current head coach of Benin Republic, Gernot Rohr, has criticized the mentality of the Super Eagles players, after their 2-1 win in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on Monday.
Young midfielder Raphael Onyedika handed the Super Eagles of Nigeria the lead with his first goal for the national team, but they fell apart and conceded twice in the space of twelve minutes to limp to yet another horrendous result in their pursuit of a World Cup ticket.
It was Benin’s first-ever victory against Nigeria, and Rohr, who coached the Eagles between 2016 and 2021 (leading the Super Eagles to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia), pointed out their lapse in concentration, especially after taking the lead.
Nigeria scored the first goal; perhaps they thought the game was already over. But the reaction and the desire of my team were so strong that they could come back to win the match,” Rohr said, per Favour Itua.
Coach George Finidi, a member of the first-ever Super Eagles team to make a debut at the World Cup in USA 94, insists he is the man for the job, but a point from a possible six in his first two outings offers little confidence considering the quality in his squad.
Gernot Rohr was full of praise for his lads after their spirited performance against the Nigerian side, insisting that the game could go on for days and the Super Eagles wouldn’t come close to scoring. The excited German enjoyed one over his former employers and continues to eye a shock ticket to the next World Cup.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria sit fifth on the log in Group C, four points behind the trio of Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin Republic, with only three points from four games, drawing at home against Lesotho and South Africa.
Nigeria is in danger of missing out on two consecutive World Cups after failing to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar. Finidi's position is under scrutiny, but is it too early to fire the former Barcelona winger? Time will tell.