Benin coach Gernot Rohr expressed his frustration at missed opportunities in his side’s 1-1 draw with the Super Eagles in the 2025 AFCON qualifier on Thursday, but remained hopeful for a favourable outcome in the race for qualification.
The Cheetahs took the lead in the 16th minute through Mohamed Tijani’s goal, but Victor Osimhen leveled the score in the 81st minute to secure a 1-1 draw for the three-time African champions.
The result sealed top spot in the group for Nigeria, whose qualification was assured prior to kick-off. It, however, left Benin with everything to play for in their final game away to Libya, on the condition of a Super Eagles victory over Rwanda in Uyo.
Rohr reflects on missed opportunities, urges Super Eagles to do Benin a favour
Rohr called on his former side to secure a win against Rwanda in their final qualifier, which would boost Benin’s chances of advancing.
Speaking to the press after the game, the 71-year-old pleaded with Nigeria to do his side a favour by defeating Rwanda in their final qualifier.
“It was a fair result,” Rohr said of their draw on Thursday night. “But we were unlucky… if we had taken the chances we had with the score at 1-0, maybe the result would have been different.
“We’ve got to avoid defeat, but you don’t go to play for a draw, so we will use the confidence from today to prosecute the game in Benghazi. Hopefully, the Super Eagles will beat Rwanda in Uyo.”
Benin occupies second place with 7 points, followed by Rwanda in third with 5 points, while Libya sits at the bottom with 4 points.
Rohr managed the Super Eagles from 2016 to 2021, qualifying them for the 2018 World Cup and leading them to a third-place finish at AFCON 2019.
