Super Eagles caretaker coach, Austin Eguavoen, has issued a stern warning ahead of Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Eguavoen emphasized that despite Nigeria’s strong position in the group, the Cheetahs should not be underestimated, particularly due to the influence of their head coach, Gernot Rohr.
Rohr, who coached Nigeria from 2016 to 2020, brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of Nigerian football, which could make Benin a formidable opponent in today’s match at Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.
With Benin needing a win to stay in the race for qualification, the stakes are high for both teams.
Eguavoen expressed confidence but acknowledged the challenge, saying, “Gernot Rohr knows us inside out.
He was with us for so many years, and he is a very experienced coach.
He knows our strengths and weaknesses, and that makes Benin a very tricky side to play against.”
Despite the formidable task ahead, Eguavoen insisted that Nigeria’s mentality remains focused on securing the three points, or at the very least, a draw to guarantee their place in next year’s AFCON.
The Eagles currently top Group D with 10 points from four matches, having scored seven goals and conceded none.
“Our mindset going into every game is to win,” Eguavoen added. “But that’s easier said than done. We fight for every point, we fight for every goal, and that’s exactly what we will do against Benin.”
With Rwanda still lurking as a potential rival, Benin will be under significant pressure to secure a victory in order to keep their qualification hopes alive, adding further intensity to today’s encounter.
Eguavoen concluded, “Benin is not a pushover, but we will work hard to ensure we achieve our objective and take control of our destiny.”
The match promises to be an exciting contest, with both sides having much to play for in what could be a defining moment in Group D’s qualification race.
