'The Nigeria bench is fantastic' - Rohr names three players that changed the game for Super Eagles

Gernot Rohr has named three players that helped the Super Eagles ease past his Benin side 3-0 in the opening fixture of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign.

 The Cheetahs had beaten Nigeria in June in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers but were paid back in their own coin by the three-time African champions who swept them aside.

Benin defended doggedly for almost the entire duration of the first half, but their resilience was broken with a moment of sheer brilliance from Ballon d'Or nominee Ademola Lookman, which dealt their chances of picking a result a huge blow.

They managed to muster some chances in the second half, but Austin Eguavoen rang some changes, which included Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to put the game beyond the reach of Rohr's side.

Osimhen scored the second goal, and Simon created the assist for the third goal, which guaranteed the victory for the 2013 AFCON champions.

Speaking in his post-match conference, Rohr admitted that the Super Eagles bench was stronger than that of his side and that helped them to bring on Osimhen, Simon and Dele-Bashiru which helped to secure the victory.

The German tactician said: "It is hard result for us, we conceded the first goal in the first additional minute of the first half and it was a shock little bit for my team I think and then the team of Nigeria could start the second half in confidence.

"And this victory without any discussion when I see players coming in Moses Simon, Osimhen, Dele-Bashiru.

"The bench you have here in Nigeria is fantastic and we don't have that but my young team is learning and we showed that against the Super Eagles in June and full of future and we have to learn from the mistakes today."

The Cheetahs will face Libya on Tuesday in their second group game while the Super Eagles will clash with Rwanda on the same day.

Nigeria have taken an early lead in the group as they were the only side to pick up maximum points in the opening matchday.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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