The Super Eagles are stagnant – Benin coach Gernot Rohr slams Nigeria, makes World Cup prediction

Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr has aimed a below-the-belt blow at the Nigerian national men’s football team, Soccernet.ng reports.

Rohr was formerly in charge of the Super Eagles and was one of the team’s longest-serving coaches before he was sacked on the eve of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria fumbled at the AFCON three weeks after Rohr’s dismissal, exiting the tournament in the first knockout round.

A few months later, the Super Eagles then failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with Ghana going to Qatar instead.

Shortly after, the Nigeria Football Federation appointed Portuguese gaffer Jose Peseiro, who guided the Super Eagles to second place at the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.

Rohr’s best finish at the continental championships with Nigeria was in third place at the 2019 edition in Egypt.

Still, the French manager is convinced that the Super Eagles have not made significant progress since he left the saddle as head coach.

Backing his claims, the former Bordeaux defender pointed out that most of the Super Eagles squad were players he introduced to the national team.

Rohr was equally not impressed with Nigeria’s playing style in Cote d’Ivoire, where Peseiro deployed an ultra-defensive system to nullify opposing attacks. 

“They haven’t really made the progress they thought they would when I was asked to leave,” Rohr said in comments relayed by Owngoal.

“It’s even more about the players I left behind and a style that wasn’t the best at the CAN.”

Nigeria, big World Cup favourites

Rohr’s Benin and Nigeria’s Super Eagles are battling it out in Group C for the sole qualifying ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria drew their first two games in the series with Zimbabwe and Lesotho and sit in third place behind leaders Rwanda (4 points) and South Africa (3).

Still, Rohr is convinced that the Super Eagles are the massive favourites to beat all opposition and make it to the World Cup.

“They (the Super Eagles) are only two points behind the group leaders (Rwanda), and that is an advantage they can overturn in the next round,” added Rohr.

“We cannot rule out a team with the quality of the Nigerian team.

“Every team in the group knows it.”

While in charge of the Super Eagles, Rohr masterminded 35 wins, 16 draws, and 13 defeats in 64 games.

He has, however, recorded just one victory in ten games with Benin.

NB: Is Gernot Rohr right that the Super Eagles have not progressed since he left as coach? Leave your comments below.