Nigeria vs DR Congo: Gernot Rohr Predicts Winner of World Cup Playoff Clash
Former Super Eagles head coach and current Benin Republic manager, Gernot Rohr, has tipped Nigeria to win their decisive World Cup playoff match against DR Congo, but he has warned that the Leopards pose real danger.
Rohr, who correctly predicted that both Nigeria and DR Congo would win their semi-final matches, said the Super Eagles have the stronger team but must remain alert when they meet on Sunday in Rabat.
Nigeria defeated Gabon 4-1 after extra time in their semi-final, while DR Congo booked their place with a late 1-0 victory over Cameroon.
Despite backing Nigeria, Rohr explained that DR Congo’s physical strength and set-piece quality could trouble the Super Eagles.
“Of course, Nigeria are the favourites, but they must be careful,” Rohr said. “Congo have a very strong team physically and they are dangerous from set pieces, as we all saw in the match against Cameroon.”
He added that although DR Congo can make the contest difficult, Nigeria’s collective quality should see them through. “It will be an interesting game, but I think Nigeria will go through because they have better qualities overall.”
Sunday’s match is the final hurdle for both nations on the road to the intercontinental playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A win keeps Nigeria’s qualification hopes alive; a defeat ends their campaign.
Rohr also has a personal reason to follow the fixture closely. His Benin Republic side will face DR Congo in their opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations in December, and he confirmed he will be in Rabat to watch the game.
Congo arrive with confidence after showing strong organisation and precision in dead-ball situations, highlighted by Chancel Mbemba’s late header against Cameroon. Nigeria, on the other hand, enter the contest in good form, having won five of their last six matches.
Sunday’s clash will be only the second competitive meeting between both teams. Nigeria won their previous encounter 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations.
Rohr now waits to see if his latest prediction will be as accurate as the last.
