Benin’s Rise Under Gernot Rohr: A World Cup Dream Threatens Nigeria’s Hopes
By Jayson Panganiban September 11, 2025 15:42
In the high-stakes arena of African football, the 2026 World Cup qualifiers have delivered a narrative twist that few saw coming. Benin Republic, led by former Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr, has emerged as a formidable force in Group C, outshining the Super Eagles and putting their qualification hopes in jeopardy. A resounding 4-0 thrashing of Lesotho on September 9, 2025, in Abidjan, coupled with Nigeria’s faltering 1-1 draw against South Africa, has positioned Benin as a serious contender for a historic first World Cup appearance. As the qualification race nears its climax, Rohr’s resurgence is a story of redemption, strategy, and irony.
Benin’s latest triumph, played at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium, showcased their growing prowess. Striker Steve Mounié, the team’s captain, scored twice, while Jodel Dossou and Junior Olaitan added goals to seal the rout. The Cheetahs’ 14 points from eight matches place them second in Group C, three points behind leaders South Africa (17) and three ahead of Nigeria (11). “We’ve become a balanced team that fights together,” Rohr told Daily Post Nigeria after the match. “With two games left, anything is possible—first place or a play-off spot.” His confidence is backed by stats: Benin have conceded just five goals in qualifiers, the second-best defensive record in their group, per FIFA’s official metrics.
Contrast this with Nigeria’s struggles. The Super Eagles, once a powerhouse, are reeling after a lackluster campaign. Their draw in Bloemfontein against South Africa, where William Troost-Ekong’s own goal canceled out a lead, left them with a slim chance of topping the group. Even if Nigeria win their final two matches against Lesotho and Benin, their maximum of 17 points may not suffice for automatic qualification, as only group winners advance directly. The four best second-placed teams across Africa’s nine groups enter play-offs, but Gabon (19 points) and Madagascar (16) currently lead the runners-up race, per ESPN. “Our World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread,” admitted Nigeria’s interim coach Éric Chelle, whose team has failed to win any of their last seven qualifiers dating back to 2021, a period that began under Rohr’s tenure.
Rohr’s journey with Benin adds a layer of personal drama. Sacked by Nigeria in 2021 after a five-year stint that included World Cup qualification in 2018, the German tactician has found vindication. His record with Benin—four wins, eight draws, and six losses in 18 matches—may not dazzle, but his ability to mold a cohesive unit from a modest squad is undeniable. Players like Olivier Verdon and Cédric Hountondji anchor a stout defense, while Mounié’s seven goals in qualifiers rank him among Africa’s top scorers. “Rohr’s given us belief,” Mounié said in a press conference, per AfricaSoccer.com. “We know Rwanda and Nigeria are tough, but we’ve already beaten Nigeria here.” That 2-1 victory over Nigeria in June 2024, also in Abidjan, saw Mounié and Dossou overturn an early deficit, a result that sparked calls for then-coach Finidi George’s resignation.
The irony isn’t lost on fans. Social media buzzed with reactions, with one X post from @NaijaFootyFan going viral: “Rohr is cooking Nigeria with Benin’s squad. NFF sacked him, now he’s their nightmare. Poetic justice.” Nigeria’s struggles are compounded by off-field issues, like the wrong national anthem being played before the 2024 Benin match, which the Nigeria Football Federation protested vehemently. Meanwhile, Rohr has kept his focus forward, telling ESPN, “My focus is on Benin, not Nigeria. The World Cup is everything.”
Benin’s path isn’t easy. Their final matches—away to Rwanda and Nigeria—are daunting. Rwanda, tied with Nigeria at 11 points, stunned Zimbabwe 1-0 on September 9, while Nigeria’s home game in Uyo looms as a grudge match. Yet, Benin’s momentum is palpable. Their adopted home in Ivory Coast, where they’ve played qualifiers due to stadium issues, has become a fortress, with three wins in four matches. South Africa, however, face uncertainty after fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho, a violation Rohr has publicly urged FIFA to penalize with a three-point deduction. If enforced, it could throw Group C into chaos, potentially opening the door for Benin to snatch first.
For Nigeria, the pressure is suffocating. Fans in Lagos, where football is a cultural cornerstone, view missing a second straight World Cup as unthinkable. “It’s our birthright,” said supporter Chidi Okonkwo, quoted by BBC Sport. But with Rohr’s Benin soaring, Nigeria’s proud tradition hangs in the balance. As the qualifiers wrap up in October, the Cheetahs’ roar might just drown out the Eagles’ cry.
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