Benin Republic’s head coach, Gernot Rohr, has expressed his acknowledgment of the formidable quality of the Nigerian players and admitted that securing a victory against them would pose a challenging task for his team.

Gernot Rohr who is Super Eagles longest serving foreign coach in history, led Benin Republic to a 2-1 triumph over Nigeria in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier held in June.

However, he recognized that replicating such a result would be a tough feat, particularly given Nigeria’s determination to make amends for their recent underwhelming performances.

In a pre-match press conference, Rohr emphasized the advantage of familiarity with the opponents as a coach but stressed that it doesn’t guarantee an easy match.

“We are aware that Nigeria has superior players, many of whom represent big clubs. In contrast, we have a young team. Nevertheless, I am optimistic about our potential to deliver a commendable performance,” Gernot Rohr said.

Regarding the match, the 71-year-old German coach acknowledged the Super Eagles’ status as the favorites. He remained hopeful about his team’s chances while embracing their underdog role.

“Even as outsiders, we believe we have a shot at victory. Being the underdog can work to our advantage. We aim to present a formidable challenge to the Super Eagles,” Gernot Rohr said.

The Super Eagles vs Benin Republic’s 2025 AFCON clash is scheduled to take place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, with the kick-off set for 5 pm.