'We don't have many big players' - Rohr admits Nigeria fielded a stronger side compared to team beaten in Abidjan

Two stunning goals from 2024 Ballon d'Or nominee Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen's acrobatic effort inspired the Super Eagles 3-0 rout of neighbors Republic of Benin in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Saturday evening.

The victory came eighty-nine days after a Nigeria side coached by Finidi George were humiliated in Abidjan, losing 2-1 to the Cheetahs in a 2026 World Cup qualifier. 

Of the eleven players that started the World Cup qualifier on June 10, seven were picked in the starting lineup on Saturday, namely Stanley Nwabali, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze. 

Influential defenders Ola Aina and William Troost-Ekong, Bruno Onyemaechi and Victor Boniface came into the side for the Afcon qualifier. 

Benin's Cheetahs manager Gernot Rohr has highlighted that the Super Eagles fielded a stronger side compared to the team they beat in Ivory Coast. 

The German also pointed out that he could not count on the services of some key players like Mohamed Tijani who was unavailable for selection due to an injury he sustained while on club duties in Switzerland. 

Reacting to his side's defeat, Rohr said at the post-match press conference: "It's a different team, four or five players were not there in Abidjan, they were here today. When you don't have your usual captain (Troost-Ekong), when you don't have Moses Simon, when you don't have Dele-Bashiru, when you don't have other players who played today.

"It was a different team and also they played at home, with supporters and a wonderful crowd, it's different. 

"We didn't have the same defence. We missed Mohamed Tijani who is a very important player, he was injured.

"We don't have so many big players like you have in Nigeria, that was the difference."

Nigeria and Benin face-off again in November 2024 in the Afcon qualifier, followed by a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier between both countries in October 2025.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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