Gernot Rohr Knocks ‘Defensive’ Benin, Reveals Super Eagles New Playing Style

 

The coach of the Nigeria national football team has attributed the team’s come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Benin to the new style of play the players are embracing.

The Super Eagles fell behind to an early Stephane Sessegnon strike but showed excellent fighting to equalize just before halftime through a Victor Osimhen penalty before Samuel Kalu’s brilliant solo goal handed the home team all the three points.

Head coach Gernot Rohr could not but heap praises on his players for displaying guts and grit to grind out the win, Soccernet.ng reports.

“We are happy about this victory, we knew before the match that it would be very difficult because Benin have one of the best organisation defensively,” Rohr told a post-match conference after the game in Uyo.

“They (Benin) have a good team and unfortunately, we conceded an early goal which was a shock for us and we had to recover from this and with our attitude, we had to make them tire out to get the result.

“The players showed great reaction coming from a goal down in front of a half-full stadium to win.

“We had opportunities but scoring more goals against Benin was difficult because they were too defensive.

“Now we have a new style of playing – which involves a lot of movement, quick passing, and one touch. We could have scored a third goal but I’m happy with the performance of my team considering that you came from a goal down to win 2-1.”

The three-time African champions sit top of Group L with three points and travel next to Lesotho to face the Crocodiles at the Setsoto Stadium, Maseru on Sunday.