Benin Republic coach Gernot Rohr has questioned the officiating in his side’s 2–0 defeat to Nigeria, insisting that both goals scored by Victor Osimhen in the decisive World Cup qualifier should have been reviewed differently.
Osimhen opened the scoring after timing his run to perfection to collect a clever through ball from Samuel Chukwueze before finishing neatly beyond the Benin goalkeeper.
The Galatasaray striker later doubled Nigeria’s advantage with a towering header from close range.
But Rohr believes both goals were questionable.
“Our only regrets are the first two goals conceded in Nigeria in the decisive match,” Rohr told CAF online. “In my opinion, these situations would have deserved a different decision and would have allowed us to obtain more justice.”
Gernot Rohr. Photo Credit: CAF Online
The German tactician added that the absence of VAR may have cost his team. Benin players had protested the second goal, claiming Osimhen fouled his marker in the build-up, but their appeals were waved away by the referee.
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Despite that, Rohr says the campaign in which Benin finished level on 17 points with Nigeria and handed the Super Eagles their only defeat in Abidjan has boosted his team’s confidence ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“I think it can indeed serve as a springboard, especially as a rich experience. We finished with 17 points, the same as Nigeria, which is already a significant amount of confidence. We were the only team to beat Nigeria in Abidjan, while they remained unbeaten in all other games.”
The Cheetahs of Benin Republic. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Rohr highlighted the logistical challenges of competing across Africa, praising his team’s resilience.
“In addition, this tournament involves a lot of travel, sometimes with very little recovery between matches, because traveling in Africa is not always easy.
However, this experience allowed us to structure ourselves, strengthen ourselves and prepare ourselves mentally. All these experiences will be valuable to approach the AFCON with a better chance of success.”
With Benin drawn alongside Senegal, DR Congo, and Botswana, Rohr says his immediate objective is to secure the team’s first-ever AFCON group-stage win.
“For this AFCON, our first objective is to win a match. In the last edition in 2019, Benin finished the round of 16 with three draws, without a win, except on penalties. This time, we absolutely want to win. While remaining humble, our ambition is to get out of this group.
Gernot Rohr. Photo Credit: CAF Online
Despite the presence of Senegal and DR Congo, it is imperative to beat Botswana and, why not, get something against the other two teams. It won’t be easy, but it’s achievable, because my team has improved considerably.”
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And when asked what headline he hopes to see after the tournament, Rohr replied with a smile:
“The miracle of Benin, In reference to the victory in the 1954 World Cup final, when Germany beat Hungary 3–2 in Switzerland. And there, we would like to make the miracle of Benin.”
