Ahead of tomorrow’s block buster AFCON qualifier against the Super Eagles, Benin coach Gernot Rohr has claimed knowing his opponents beforehand is an advantage but does not make it easy.
The 71-year-old Rohr previously managed the three-time African champions for five years (2016-2021), before being booted out and joining the ‘Cheetahs’ of Benin.
“For me it’s important to know the conditions, we had a good travel here, they were here in 2019 and they lost, so it’s a motivation for them to come here to do better, ” he said.
“As a coach it is an advantage to know the opponents, but it does not mean it will be easy.
“We know they have the better players, we don’t have the players in the big clubs like Nigeria. As a team, we have young players now, and I’m very optimistic that we can do something well.”
He said the Super Eagles will be the favourites to win.
“We have our chance tomorrow because we know we are outsiders, but even to be an outsider can be an advantage,” he explained.
“I hope that tomorrow the team will be able to be a good opponent for the Super Eagles.”
On the highlight of the five years spent as Eagles coach, he said: “My first match was here in Uyo, and we won it (against Tanzania). The victory against Cameroon (4-0), against Zambia(1-0) which gave us the qualification for the World cup was the best one,” he recounted at the pre-match press conference.
By Aboluwade God’s Treasure AGT
