Gernot Rohr Expects Nigeria to Play Key Role in Benin Republic’s AFCON Qualification Hopes
In the wake of their hard-fought 1-1 draw against Nigeria, Benin Republic coach Gernot Rohr and his squad are focused on the tasks ahead.
The match in Abidjan saw the Benin Republic take an early lead through Mohamed Tijani’s impressive 16th-minute goal.
However, Victor Osimhen’s late equalizer in the 81st minute showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, leaving the Benin Republic with a crucial away match against Libya to look forward to.
To secure their place in the tournament, Benin Republic needs to register a win or avoid a heavy defeat in Benghazi.
The outcome also relies on Nigeria defeating Rwanda in Uyo on Monday.
Rohr emphasized that his team will focus on building on the confidence they gained from the performance against Nigeria.
“We’ll strive to use today’s experience to fuel our determination to secure a win in our next match against Libya.”
He also emphasized the importance of Nigeria emerging victorious against Rwanda, hinting that this would benefit his team’s chances of qualification.
Rohr reflected on the recent match against Nigeria, expressing a mix of emotions about the outcome.
He believed the result was fair but felt unlucky not to have secured a win.
“While the 1-1 draw is a fair outcome, I felt we were unlucky due to the chances we let slip and the organization on the pitch. If we had capitalized on our scoring opportunities, the result may have been different.”
Rohr acknowledged Nigeria’s prowess, stating that they are a tough opponent to beat.
However, he noted that had his team taken their chances when they were leading 1-0, the outcome may have been altered.
