The Benin Republic national team, the Cheetahs, arrived in Uyo, Nigeria, on Thursday evening ahead of their highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier against the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.
After spending five days in preparation at their training camp in Abidjan, Benin's players and staff, led by former Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr, landed at Victor Attah International Airport.
The Cheetahs will face the Super Eagles on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 5 p.m. (GMT+1) at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
This clash is the opening day fixture of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers for both teams, and a victory for Benin would see them top Group D, following a 1-1 draw between Libya and Rwanda earlier.
On Friday, Benin's squad will conduct their traditional pre-match training session at the stadium, allowing the players to familiarise themselves with the playing conditions.
This match holds extra significance as it pits Rohr against his former team for the second time since his departure.
Rohr, who led Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup and a third-place finish at AFCON 2019, was dismissed in December 2021, despite securing Nigeria's qualification for AFCON 2021.
The German gaffer famously guided Benin to a historic 2-1 win over Nigeria in June in a World Cup qualifier, the first time the Cheetahs had ever defeated the Super Eagles.
Nigeria’s defender William Troost-Ekong, speaking ahead of this match, emphasised that the team is not approaching this as a grudge match against their former coach.
“We’re ready for the game, playing against Gernot Rohr, a coach that knows us very well… but we’ll be ready for the game,” said Ekong.
The Super Eagles will be keen to avoid a repeat of the June result as they seek a positive start in their quest to qualify for the 2025 AFCON tournament.
