Benin coach Gernot Rohr expressed his disappointment with the Super Eagles' decision to field a reserve team during their AFCON qualifier against Rwanda, a match that ended in a home defeat for Nigeria.
Going into the game, Nigeria had already secured qualification for next year's AFCON in Morocco, while Benin had everything to play for in their final match away to Libya, contingent on a Super Eagles victory over Rwanda in Uyo.
Against the Amavubi, Austin Eguavoen made seven changes to the team that had played against Benin a few days earlier, giving starting opportunities to Maduka Okoye, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Victor Boniface, and Moses Simon.
Following the Super Eagles' defeat, Benin secured a crucial draw against Libya away, booking their ticket to the next AFCON.
Rohr disappointed by Super Eagles selection in Rwanda defeat
In an interview with Africafootunited, Rohr reflected on the challenging but rewarding experience of securing qualification.
The 71-year-old expressed his disappointment with Nigeria's decision to field a reserve team during the encounter with Rwanda, believing that resting key players affected both the game's outcome and the competitive spirit.
“Unfortunately in their last match in Uyo I think they lacked respect by putting in a reserve team and resting players like Osimhen, Lookman, Iwobi, Ndidi, the goalkeeper.
“I was a little disappointed to see that, on the pretext that they had already qualified,” he said.
Benin finished in second place with 8 points, 3 points behind group winners Nigeria, while Rwanda placed third, also with 8 points. The bottom position was occupied by the Amavubi, who finished with 5 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.
