Gernot Rohr Explains Benin’s Heavy Defeat To Nigeria, Praises Osimhen’s Brilliance

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Benin Republic coach Gernot Rohr has admitted that Nigeria’s quality and depth made the difference in Uyo after his side’s 4-0 defeat to the Super Eagles in Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Naija News reports that the Cheetahs were outclassed by the Super Eagles, with Victor Osimhen netting a hat-trick and Frank Onyeka adding another to seal a commanding victory for the home side. The result ended Benin’s hopes of reaching the World Cup for the first time in their history.

Speaking to journalists after the match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Gernot Rohr said his team struggled to cope after Nigeria’s early goal and also suffered from the absence of key players.

“They started with a goal in the third minute. I don’t know whether it’s offside or not. We had to build a new defence because of the yellow cards,” Rohr said.

“Today, we are a little bit disappointed because the dream of going to the World Cup is finished. There was a big disappointment because we wanted to go to the World Cup with our country, Benin, for the first time in history. We could not; we had to win here.

“To win in Nigeria when Nigeria is also playing for the playoffs is something very difficult, especially if you miss two suspended players from the last game in Rwanda and three injured players we had from the September games.

“We don’t have enough high-level players. We have some players who are playing in the fifth division in France, but I’m proud of my team. I’m proud because they did so well in these qualifiers for the World Cup, and we could hope until the last game today to go there. That is why I’m happy to be the coach of this team. It is a young team still learning.”

Rohr, who previously managed Nigeria’s national team, also had kind words for Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, describing him as one of the world’s finest forwards.

The veteran German coach was the one who gave Osimhen his first senior international call-up at just 17 years old and said he was delighted to see how far the player had come.

“We tried, but when you have such a good player like Osimhen,” Rohr said. “I remember when I brought Osimhen into the team, he was 17, here in our first game against Tanzania, and he was already in our selection.

“So I am very happy to see him like that, but I’m not happy he did it against me. But I hope he can do it in the playoffs for your country, which I love.”

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