Benin Republic’s head coach, Gernot Rohr, has openly admitted the superiority of Nigeria’s Super Eagles following his team’s 3-0 defeat in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, Sports247 reports.
Despite coming into the match with confidence after previously defeating Nigeria 2-1 during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Rohr recognized that this was a different Nigerian side altogether.
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“Nigeria has become so strong, much stronger than the team we faced last year. When you look at their depth and quality, they’re clearly the best in the group,” Rohr said after the match.
“It’s difficult to compete with this team. They’ve improved in every department, and we will shift our focus to securing second place in the group.”
Ademola Lookman, who scored twice, and Victor Osimhen, who added a stunning volley, delivered a performance that left Benin with no answers.
Rohr acknowledged Nigeria’s improved squad, stating that their new players and better tactical organization made it almost impossible for his side to replicate their previous success.
“Last time, we managed to beat them, but this is a completely changed team. Their bench strength, especially players like Osimhen coming off the bench, is remarkable.
We have to focus on our next game and aim for second place in the group. Nigeria is clearly out of reach now,” Rohr added.
The defeat in Uyo marks a setback for Benin, but Rohr maintained a pragmatic outlook. He stressed that while his team couldn’t match Nigeria on the day, their aim was still to secure qualification for the AFCON tournament.
Despite the loss, Benin will continue their campaign with an eye on their upcoming fixtures, starting with a crucial match against Libya.
Rohr’s honest appraisal of the match highlights the growing strength of the Super Eagles, who now look set to dominate their qualifying group
