AFCON 2025: We know we can beat Nigeria - Rohr

Gernot Rohr, coach of Benin during the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2026 game between Lesotho and Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium in South Africa on 21 November 2023 ©Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Friday Jul 05, 2024. 15:00

Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has discussed Thursday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers draw which saw his side being pitted against Nigeria.

Nigeria and Benin are in Group D of the qualifiers alongside Rwanda and Libia. The top two teams from each of the groups will qualify for the 2025 AFCON finals.

Rohr was in charge of Nigeria between 2016 and 2021, and he masterminded Benin’s 2-1 win over the Super Eagles in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier last month.

“It’s a difficult draw, because there’s Nigeria again. And we have Rwanda, an adversary that we know well and of whom we are wary. There is also Libya who have a good team, it will be a difficult trip there,” Rohr said on Soccer Net.

“Another reunion with Nigeria. That’s going to be three more games with them [including the upcoming second leg, counting for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers]. It’s a reunion against a very good team. But we gained confidence and we know we can beat them.”

The 2025 AFCON qualifiers will start in September 2024 and the finals will be held from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026 in Morocco.