Benin Republic coach Gernot Rohr has voiced strong criticism of the officiating in his team’s 4-0 loss to Nigeria in their final 2026 World Cup qualifying game, arguing that key calls from the referee were unfair.

Rohr, who previously managed the Super Eagles, questioned the decision to let both of Victor Osimhen’s first-half goals stand. He believes there were fouls in the build-up that should have been spotted.

“Our only regrets concern the first two goals conceded in Nigeria in the decisive match. These situations would have deserved, in my opinion, a different decision and would have allowed us to obtain more justice,” Rohr told CAFonline.

Despite the defeat, the German tactician expressed pride in his players and their progress through the qualifiers. Benin finished with 17 points, the same tally as Nigeria, and were the only team in Group C to beat the Super Eagles.

“We finished the World Cup qualifiers with 17 points, as many as Nigeria, which already constitutes a significant confidence boost,” he said. “We were the only team to beat Nigeria in Abidjan, while they remained undefeated in all other matches.”

Naija News reports that while Being Republic are out of the 2026 World Cup qualification race, the Super Eagles are still in contention for a spot in the biggest football event. The Nigerian side will travel to Morocco in November to face Gabon in the CAF play-offs. If they scale through, they will play in the FIFA Play-offs in March 2026.

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