Benin Republic's coach, Gernot Rohr, has given credit to three standout players from Nigeria who were instrumental in their 3-0 win over Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Saturday.
The Ups and Downs of the Match
In a surprising turn of events, Rohr's team, which had previously triumphed over Nigeria in June during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, found themselves outplayed at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Despite a solid defensive effort from Benin during most of the first half, their defense was eventually breached by a dazzling performance from Ademola Lookman, a nominee for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Key Moments and Player Impact
Victor Osimhen, who came on as a substitute, scored the second goal in the second half, followed by Lookman adding a third to seal the victory for Nigeria under Augustine Eguavoen’s management.
In his post-match interview, Rohr acknowledged the significant impact of substitutes Osimhen, Moses Simon, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in Nigeria’s win
Rohr’s Post-Match Reflections
The 71-year-old German coach shared his thoughts: “It’s a tough result for us. Conceding the first goal in the dying moments of the first half was a jolt for my team. It gave Nigeria the momentum to start the second half strongly.”
Rohr continued, “There’s no denying the strength of this victory. The depth of Nigeria’s squad is impressive. Players like Moses Simon, Osimhen, and Dele-Bashiru coming off the bench are a testament to their strength, which we currently lack. Our young team is still learning, and although we showed promise against the Super Eagles in June, we must learn from today’s mistakes.”
Benin will face Libya in their next group game on Tuesday, while Nigeria will take on Rwanda.
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