2021 AFCON Qualifier: Super Eagles Will Dent Benin’s 8-Year Unbeaten Home Record – Rohr Assures

Despite not losing in their home ground at Porto-Novo for eight years, Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has promised Nigerians that the team will soar against the Squirrel of Benin in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Rohr stated this in a chat with Punch, where he said that the players are mentally prepared to take the game straight to the home team.

The three-time AFCON champions, who are top of Group L on eight points against Benin’s seven points, will need a draw or a victory to move closer to picking the sole ticket for the bi-annual tournament.

Rohr said, “Everyone wants to beat Nigeria, it is normal. We also want to win there (Porto Novo), so it’s a big challenge because they’ve not lost a match at home in eight years.

“You should expect a team (Eagles) that wants to play good football first, who are going to show Nigerians that they are fighting for their country and are able to do well in Porto Novo against the team who haven’t lost a game at home, since losing 3-1 to Algeria in a World Cup qualifier in 2013.

“It’s a huge challenge for us to go and try to win, knowing a point will earn us qualification. We’ve had a good training session and we will go there to qualify. If we can win, we will, but already, a draw is enough for us to qualify. Qualification is our target.

“The Squirrels are a good team, they came to their country on a chartered flight, we couldn’t do the same. In the worst case, we still have the game against Lesotho here, but I’m very confident that we can qualify in Porto Novo.”

By Augustie Akhilomen