Benin’s loss to Nigeria forces Gernot Rohr into tactical change

Nigeria ruined Benin's chances of a debut World Cup campaign with a win over the Cheetahs…

Head coach of the Republic of Benin has revealed his side's loss to the Super Eagles of Nigeria has forced him into a tactical switch, Soccernet.ng reports.

The German tactician came close to delivering a debut World Cup campaign for Benin, but they fell short to the Super Eagles on the final matchday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

A hat-trick from Victor Osimhen and a 91st-minute strike from Frank Onyeka were just enough to seal a World Cup play-off spot for Eric Chelle's men.

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Nigeria loss forces Benin into tactical change

Benin have been drawn into the AFCON 2025 Group D alongside Botswana, DR Congo, and Senegal.

Ahead of the showdown in Morocco, the former Super Eagles coach revealed that the players are still mentally defeated after their loss to Nigeria.

“It’s true that the heavy defeat in Nigeria caused a lot of frustration inside the staff and the dressing room, since we saw this World Cup very close,” conceded Rohr in quotes revealed by Onzenational.

“The points to improve are mainly defensive rigor. There are still many mistakes as we have seen in the face of Nigeria.

“At the level of the defensive organization at three in the axis, we will work on this to have a second plan, to vary a little defensively,” the 72-year-old concluded.

Benin kick-off their AFCON 2025 campaign against DR Congo on the 23rd of December at the Stade El Barid in Rabat, Morocco.