2026 WCQ: How Benin players celebrated Gernot Rohr after beating Super Eagles

Head coach of Benin Republic, Gernot Rohr, put a dagger in the heart of Nigeria's World Cup hopes as he led the Squirrels to a famous 2-1 victory over the Super Eagles at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

The 70-year-old secured top spot in Group C with 7 points following back-to-back wins against Rwanda and Nigeria.

Raphael Onyedika gave the Super Eagles the lead in the 27th minute before Jodel Dossou equalized for Benin ten minutes later. Rohr's side went on to score the winner in the second half from a corner kick as the Super Eagles struggled to stage a comeback.

The defeat has left the Super Eagles languishing in 5th place in Group C, in dire need of a miracle to salvage their World Cup campaign.

Rohr, who was Nigeria's longest-serving coach from 2016 to 2021, was hailed by the Benin players after their historic victory as they carried the former Bayern Munich defender on their shoulders.

The German tactician was unceremoniously dismissed from the Super Eagles job in December 2021 despite qualifying the team for the 2021 Nations Cup in Cameroon.

The former Bordeaux manager led Nigeria in 64 games, recording 35 wins, 16 draws, and 13 defeats.

WDN