World Cup Qualifiers: Gernot Rohr Unveils 25-Man Benin Squad for Super Eagles

• Gernot Rohr has unveiled Benin’s squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers
• Rohr will face Nigeria for the first time since leaving as their coach in June
• The Squirrels will tackle Rwanda and Nigeria in June’s crucial qualifying matches

Gernot Rohr has unfinished business with Nigeria and the German tactician will hope to further dampen the Super Eagles' chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 70-year-old coach will come face-to-face against his former employers when Benin hosts Nigeria in the World Cup qualifiers in June in a must-win game for the Squirrels.

According to Leadership Online, Rohr has unveiled a 25-man squad to face the Super Eagles comprising 19 foreign-based players and six local stars in the team to tackle the three-time African champions.

Finidi George’s Contract Details Unveiled As NFF Sets Strict Target With Huge Salary

Football

The German coach has named experienced forward Steve Mounie, as well as Nigerian-born duo Ayegun Tosin and Samson Akinyoola in his team to face Rwanda and Nigeria next month.

Rohr remains Nigeria’s longest-serving coach in history after handling the Super Eagles from August 2016 to December 2021 and led the team to the bronze medal at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Finidi names squad for qualifiers

Meanwhile, Nigeria has retained 16 members of the silver-winning 2023 AFCON squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin in June, The Cable reports.

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye makes his return to the Nigeria team after missing the AFCON earlier this year while Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Victor Boniface lead the attack.

Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, and Stanley Nwabali also made the 23-man list but Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong is one of the biggest absentees after being dropped from the squad due to his injury worries.

Finidi reportedly lists Troost-Ekong, Boniface in Super Eagles squad

Football

Nigeria gets major Osimhen boost

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Nigeria has been handed a boost as Osimhen, who had been sidelined for about three weeks, made his first appearance in Napoli's final Serie A fixture against Lecce.

Osimhen replaced Jens-Lys Cajuste in the second half and showed no symptoms of pain, nearly breaking the tie for the 2022/23 Italian league champions.

The Napoli talisman had been diagnosed with physical discomfort, causing him to miss the last two fixtures for his Serie A club and casting doubt on his availability for Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers in June.