In a highly anticipated clash, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong spoke about the unique challenge posed by Benin Republic’s head coach Gernot Rohr, who is well-acquainted with the Nigerian squad. Having managed Nigeria from 2016 to 2021, Rohr is no stranger to the players, including Ekong himself.
As the Cheetahs prepare to face the Super Eagles in a critical qualifier for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Troost-Ekong acknowledged that while Rohr knows the Nigerian team’s strengths, he may not be fully familiar with the current lineup of the 2013 African champions.
“We won our last encounter at home against Benin. We recognize they are a formidable team. Gernot Rohr was my coach for several years and, as he mentioned, he has a deep understanding of us,” Troost-Ekong stated during a pre-match media briefing in Abidjan.
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This monumental fixture is set to unfold at the illustrious Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny, where the Super Eagles previously triumphed over heavyweights Cameroon and Angola in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Ekong expressed confidence, noting the support from Ivorian fans: “This stadium instills belief in us; we feel at home here. The Ivorian spectators likely remember our past matches, and though we made things tough for them, they left with a smile on their faces in the end.”
In light of the impending showdown, it is noteworthy that Benin’s coach, Rohr, has openly questioned his team’s prospects, acknowledging the uphill battle they face against Nigeria.
The first leg of their AFCON 2025 qualifying encounter saw the Super Eagles emerge victorious with a 3-0 scoreline, featuring a brace from Ademola Lookman and a goal from Victor Osimhen. Earlier this year, the teams met during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where Benin hosted the match in Abidjan, a location Rohr cited as a disadvantage for their squad, resulting in a 2-1 defeat.
