Franco-German coach Gernot Rohr has called on the Super Eagles to reproduce the same collective display they showed against Benin Republic if they hope to defeat Gabon in the semi-finals of the African play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled for November 13 in Rabat.
Rohr, who is currently in charge of The Cheetahs of Benin and has previously managed both Nigeria and Gabon, said the Super Eagles, though possessing more individual quality, must not underestimate Les Panthères (The Panthers), who are capable of springing a surprise.
“The Super Eagles have more quality, but Gabon are a compact and determined side,” Rohr warned. “If Nigeria maintain their team spirit and discipline, they can go all the way — but they must stay cautious.”
“Gabon and Nigeria are two good teams,” the 72-year-old former Bordeaux coach told NationSport from Cotonou yesterday. “Some of their (Gabonese) players are still the same ones I worked with between 2010 and 2012 when we reached the quarter-finals of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).”
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Rohr named the like former African Footballer of the Year Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
as one of the players that Nigeria must pay attention to, adding there are other experienced players in their fold.
He continued: “Aubameyang was a young player at that time (2012), and their captain, Bruno Ecuele Manga, is still there. But I think Nigeria has better players. If they play collectively like they did against Benin, I think they can beat Gabon.”
Speaking further, the vastly-travelled Rohr with stints in Niger, Tunisia and Burkina Faso, said it would be difficult to predict the eventual sole winner of the African Play-Off , adding both Cameroon and Democratic Republic of Congo who play in the other semi-finals, can be a hard nut to crack.
“The winner of the final ticket will be difficult to predict because the match between Cameroon and DR Congo will not be easy,” said Rohr who incidentally qualified Nigeria to her last Mundial appearance at Russia 2018. “Perhaps, DR Congo are a bit stronger because they have individually better quality players than Cameroon.
“ Again, Cameroon are also facing some administrative problems that may affect their performance, so I think the final could be between Nigeria and DR Congo.”
He also discussed the upcoming continental playoffs in Mexico, describing it as “a tougher challenge” but expressing hope that the Super Eagles’ quality and depth could carry them through.
Rohr quipped: “The continental playoffs in Mexico will be very difficult, but there’s still hope. I think Nigeria can do it because they have the best players and a good image,” he said. “It will be good for FIFA to have a nation like Nigeria, with almost 200 million people, at the World Cup.
“It would make the tournament more exciting,” he added.
