AFCON Qualifier: Eguavoen Urges Super Eagles to Stay Focused Against Rohr’s Benin
As the Super Eagles gear up for their crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Benin’s Cheetahs, interim manager Austin Eguavoen has cautioned his team against complacency. The match, set for Thursday, November 14, at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, holds high stakes for Nigeria’s AFCON qualification journey.
Currently leading Group D with 10 points from four matches, Nigeria needs only a draw to book their place at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. Benin, trailing in second with six points, must secure a victory to keep their qualification hopes alive, setting the stage for a fierce encounter.
Eguavoen acknowledged the challenge posed by Benin’s coach, Gernot Rohr, a former Super Eagles manager with intimate knowledge of Nigerian tactics and players. “We have worked with Gernot Rohr for many years; he was our head coach, and there’s no doubt he’s a very good coach,” Eguavoen said at the pre-match press conference. “He knows us in and out… but Nigeria is a country we don’t take lightly. We play with a winning mindset.”
Despite the high stakes, Eguavoen emphasized that his players are fully committed to giving their best on the field. “We fight for every ball and every point,” he added. “Benin is not a pushover, but we will work hard to achieve our objective.”
This match also offers Nigeria a chance to redeem themselves after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Benin in Abidjan during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June. Eguavoen hopes to lead the Super Eagles to victory, securing their path to the AFCON and avenging the previous defeat.
With both teams determined, Thursday’s clash is poised to be a defining moment in Nigeria’s road to the AFCON.