The longest-serving coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, on Thursday will lead the Cheetahs of Benin Republic against his former side in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixture in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Rohr’s 64 months in charge of the three-time African Champions saw him lead them to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and a third place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite working with most of the current players in the Super Eagles, Rohr is not likely to have it easy when the two teams clash, as he is up against his former boss, Augustine Eguavoen, who was the technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) while he was in charge of the Nigerian team.
Albeit having the full complement of notable stars like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi, the Super Eagles boast a decent record against the Cheetahs, who have only won once in 16 previous encounters, with Nigeria winning on 13 occasions.
Roster for Benin Rep. & Rwanda Afcon Qualifiers #soarsupereagles pic.twitter.com/z7hS1Xqsbd
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 6, 2024
Nigeria won the last encounter between the two sides, recording a 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
During Rohr’s stint with Super Eagles, he reported directly to Eguavoen and there is no gainsaying that the former Nigeria international defender is abreast of the German’s tactical acumen.
Having defeated the Cheetahs in September, it is expected that the Super Eagles will be buoyed by the fact that the game in Abidjan is ultimately crucial to their qualification.
Rohr made a mark in Nigeria no doubt, but his greatest undoing ahead of Thursday’s clash could be the fact that he is coming up against his former boss whom he had explained and reported his plans, tactics and strategies to in the past.
Although it is not definite, but odds are favouring Eguavoen’s team to once again assert superiority over their West African neighbours.
You can watch the AFCON 2025 Qualifiers encounter between Benin Republic and the Super Eagles of Nigeria LIVE on Afrosport TV, and anyone in Nigeria can also stream for FREE on Afrosport TV Facebook page and via the VIDIVU online portal.
