Benin Republic head coach, Gernot Rohr, has admitted that his side was completely outclassed by Nigeria following their 4–0 defeat in the final round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Uyo on Sunday.
Speaking after the match, the former Super Eagles boss expressed disappointment at missing out on a historic World Cup qualification but conceded that the Nigerian team was simply “too strong” for his players.
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“It was a very difficult game. Nigeria were just too good today — they have world-class players and showed why they remain one of Africa’s best sides,” Rohr said during the post-match conference.
The German tactician lamented the absence of key players through suspension and injury, which he said limited Benin’s tactical options against a relentless Nigerian attack.
“We missed a few important players due to injuries and suspensions, but that’s part of football. I must commend my team because they fought hard despite the circumstances,” he noted.
Rohr, who previously managed Nigeria from 2016 to 2021, praised the Super Eagles for their intensity and efficiency, singling out Victor Osimhen for his “killer instinct” after the striker netted a hat-trick.
“Osimhen is a fantastic striker — one of the best in the world. When he is in this kind of form, it’s almost impossible to stop him,” he added.
Despite the defeat, Rohr insisted that Benin Republic’s journey under him had been positive overall, promising to build a stronger team for future competitions.
“This result is painful, but we’ll keep working. The project continues, and Benin will come back stronger,” he concluded.
