The head coach of Benin Republic, Gernot Rohr, has expressed strong confidence that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will come out victorious against Gabon in their 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs scheduled for next week.
Speaking ahead of the crucial encounter, Rohr said Nigeria has what it takes to overcome the Panthers of Gabon, citing the team’s superior quality, experience, and recent performances.
According to him, the Super Eagles have shown significant improvement under their current setup and are capable of reaching the final stage of the qualifiers.
Rohr, who previously managed the Nigerian national team, noted that while Gabon remains a decent side with experienced players, the balance and teamwork of the Super Eagles will make the difference.
“Aubameyang was still a young player back in 2012, and their captain, Bruno Ecuele Manga, is still part of the team,” Rohr told Nation Sport.
“But I believe Nigeria has better players overall. If they play together as they did against Benin, I think they can beat Gabon without much trouble.”
The German coach also predicted that Nigeria will face DR Congo in the final stage of the playoffs, as he expects the Congolese side to overcome Cameroon in the other semi-final clash.
He concluded by saying that Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be a major boost for African football and a reward for the young talents currently shining in Europe and at home.