Abuja, March 23, 2025 | In a twist that’s got football fans buzzing, Benin Republic’s head coach Gernot Rohr dropped a bombshell today: Nigeria’s Super Eagles players are quietly hoping his team can take down South Africa in their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s clash in Group C, the former Super Eagles boss hinted at a behind-the-scenes camaraderie or perhaps a strategic wish from his old squad, as the race for the group’s sole qualification spot heats up. For a Nigerian team clawing its way back from a shaky start, every result counts, and this admission adds a layer of intrigue to an already tight contest.
Rohr, who led Nigeria for over five years before taking the Benin reins, laid out the stakes in a chat with OwnGoalNigeria. “The group is very close,” he said, pointing to South Africa’s two-point lead over Benin and a three-point edge over Rwanda. Nigeria, fresh off their first win of the campaign against Zimbabwe earlier today a gritty 2-0 victory in Uyo sit fourth, just behind Rwanda. “I really think we have to beat South Africa because every team in the group has to beat the other team,” Rohr added. “My former players will want me to beat South Africa, and it’s the same for all teams playing on Tuesday.”
The sentiment makes sense when you peek at the standings. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana top Group C with seven points, buoyed by a strong start despite a recent stumble against Rwanda. Benin, with five points after a 2-2 draw against Zimbabwe last Thursday, are nipping at their heels, while Nigeria’s three points put them in a must-win mindset for every remaining match. A Benin victory over South Africa in Abidjan could shake up the table, giving the Super Eagles a lifeline to close the gap especially if they keep their own momentum rolling against Rwanda, Lesotho, and beyond.
For fans like Kemi Adebayo, a die-hard Eagles supporter in Lagos, it’s a scenario that’s both thrilling and nerve-wracking. “If Benin can do us that favor, I’ll cheer for them just this once,” she laughed, watching the Uyo win at a packed viewing center. “But we’ve got to handle our own business too no more slip-ups.” Posts on X echoed that mix of hope and urgency, with users like @owngoalnigeria amplifying Rohr’s comments and sparking debates about Nigeria’s fate. Some see it as a cheeky nod from Rohr to his old team; others wonder if it’s a subtle jab at the pressure he knows they’re under.
Rohr’s history with Nigeria adds spice to the storyline. He guided the Super Eagles to the 2018 World Cup and a bronze at the 2019 AFCON, earning respect for his steady hand though his cautious style often irked fans craving flair. Now, facing his former players as Benin’s tactician, he’s already proven he can get under their skin: Benin stunned Nigeria 2-1 in Abidjan last June, a loss that still stings in Lagos and Abuja. “We know Gernot,” said Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen earlier today, fresh off scoring against Zimbabwe. “These games are war now no room for mistakes.”
Tuesday’s Benin-South Africa showdown at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium looms large. A Benin win could knock South Africa off their perch, tightening the group and giving Nigeria a clearer shot at the top assuming they capitalize on their remaining fixtures. But it’s not all on Rohr’s shoulders. Zimbabwe, despite sitting bottom with three points, showed fight in their draw with Benin, and Rwanda’s earlier upset of South Africa proves no one’s a pushover here. “Every point matters,” Rohr said, a truth Nigeria knows too well after drawing three of their first four qualifiers.
As night falls across West Africa, the Super Eagles camp is riding high off today’s win goals from Osimhen and William Troost-Ekong sealing the deal but the focus is already shifting. Coach Eric Chelle, who’s injected new grit into the squad, will have his eyes on Tuesday’s result as much as his players do. For Nigeria, Benin’s clash with South Africa isn’t just a game to watch it’s a chance to dream. Whether Rohr’s hint was a casual quip or a calculated nudge, one thing’s clear: in Group C, alliances are fleeting, and survival’s the name of the game.