Gernot Rohr criticizes Super Eagles’ mentality after historic Benin Republic win
After a surprising 2-1 victory over Nigeria during a 2026 World Cup qualifier on Monday, Benin Republic’s head coach, Gernot Rohr, criticized the mentality of the Super Eagles players.
The Super Eagles took the lead in Abidjan with Raphael Onyedika’s first goal for his country. However, Nigeria’s defense crumbled, allowing Benin to score twice in just twelve minutes, marking Benin’s first-ever victory against Nigeria.
Rohr, who managed the Super Eagles from 2016 to 2021, highlighted Nigeria’s lack of concentration as a critical factor in their defeat.
“We had the right organization, Nigeria scored the first goal, and perhaps they believed it was already done. But the reaction, the desire of my team was so strong that they could come back to win the match,” Rohr stated.
Rohr’s comments suggest that complacency and a lack of mental resilience contributed to Nigeria’s downfall. Despite taking an early lead, the Super Eagles failed to maintain their focus and discipline, allowing Benin to exploit their weaknesses and secure a historic win.
