In a surprising turn of events during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Benin Republic secured a historic 2-1 victory over Nigeria on Monday. The Super Eagles, who initially took the lead in Abidjan through Raphael Onyedika’s first international goal, faltered and conceded twice within twelve minutes, marking Benin’s first-ever win against Nigeria.
Former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr, now leading Benin, did not hold back in his critique of the Nigerian team’s mindset. Reflecting on the match, Rohr highlighted the Nigerian players’ lapse in concentration after they took the lead.
“We had the right organization, and Nigeria scored the first goal. Perhaps they believed it was already done,” Rohr remarked. “But the reaction and the desire of my team were so strong that they could come back to win the match,” he added, as reported by Favour Itua.
Nigeria began the match with control and confidence, dominating possession and creating opportunities. Onyedika’s goal in the 27th minute seemed to set the tone for a favorable outcome. However, Benin capitalized on Nigeria’s defensive errors, with Jodel Dossou leveling the score and Steve Mounie netting the decisive goal just before halftime.
Rohr’s comments underscore the persistent issue of mental resilience within the Super Eagles squad. Despite their early lead, Nigeria’s inability to maintain focus and discipline allowed Benin to exploit their weaknesses and turn the game around.
This defeat places Nigeria in a precarious position in their qualification campaign, highlighting the need for a stronger mental approach in future matches. The Super Eagles must regroup and address these critical issues if they hope to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.
