Benin Republic’s head coach, Gernot Rohr, has expressed profound disappointment after his team’s 4–0 loss to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Tuesday’s decisive World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
The defeat ended Benin’s dreams of qualifying for their first-ever World Cup, despite an impressive campaign that saw them leading their group before the final round of matches.
Victor Osimhen stole the show with a stunning hat-trick, while Frank Onyeka’s late strike cemented Nigeria’s dominant performance and secured their spot in the World Cup playoffs.
Reflecting on the match, Rohr lamented, “It’s painful because we were so close to making history. But football can be cruel — one bad day, and everything changes.”
Rohr acknowledged the quality and experience of the Nigerian squad, which he described as decisive in the match.
“We wanted to go to the World Cup for the first time in history, but we could not. Nigeria has so many high-level players, and it’s very difficult to win when they also need the result,” he said.
He highlighted the challenges faced by his team, including a lack of experienced players, with some team members playing in lower-tier leagues or without clubs.
“We have a young team with much to learn, but I’m proud of their effort. They did very well throughout the qualifiers,” Rohr added.
Despite the disappointment, Rohr expressed pride in his players and their journey, noting their resilience and growth during the campaign.
He concluded on a gracious note, wishing Nigeria success in the playoffs and pledging his support for their journey to the World Cup.
