Barring any last-minute changes, the Cheetahs of the Republic of Benin are set to arrive in Uyo on Thursday for their Matchday One 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Super Eagles on September 7.
Cheetahs’ Head Coach Gernot Rohr has indicated that his team is preparing for a challenging match against their close neighbors.
The Beninese side had previously defeated Nigeria 2-1 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Abidjan last June.
The September 7 clash between Nigeria and Benin has generated significant interest, particularly after the Super Eagles’ loss to Benin in June.
The Group D AFCON match in Uyo will also be a homecoming of sorts for Rohr, who managed the Super Eagles from 2016 to 2021.
Despite his deep connection with his former team, the experienced German coach is confident that his side will be ready for the challenge.
“ Our arrival in Uyo is Thursday’s evening, “ Rohr told NationSports from Cotonou at the weekend.
Yet the former Bayern Munich defender admitted that the Cheetahs still remains the underdogs even as he revealed that they would be ready prepared for the Super Eagles.
“ Of course, we know it would be more difficult to go to Uyo to beat the Super Eagles than we did in June (in Abidjan) but we are going to prepare for a good match,” Rohr who last managed the Super Eagles before switching to Benin, earlier told NationSports.
“ But I’m sure in September, we are going to have a good match in Uyo,” he added.