FIFA WCQ: Gernot Rohr Banking on 4 Nigerians to Help Benin Republic Clinch Win Against Super Eagles

• The Super Eagles of Nigeria and Benin Republic will lock horns in Ivory Coast on June 10
• The crunch clash will see several players of Nigerian descent feature for Gernot Rohr’s team
• Sports Brief spotlights the Nigerians Rohr will be counting on to help defeat the Super Eagles

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face a familiar opponent in Gernot Rohr when they lock horns with their West African rivals, the Benin Republic, in the FIFA World Cup Qualification series.

This crucial match against the Squirrels is one of the decisive fixtures for Nigeria’s coach, Finidi George, in his early tenure.

However, Rohr, who holds the record as the longest-serving foreign manager in Nigeria's history, aims to ensure that the newly appointed Super Eagles gaffer has a challenging start to his reign and has assembled a Benin Republic team that includes several players of Nigerian descent and a Nigerian assistant coaching staff for the upcoming clash.

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In light of this, Sports Brief highlights the four Nigerians that the 70-year-old manager is relying on to help defeat the Super Eagles.

Nigerians Rohr counts on to defeat the Super Eagles

Tunde Adelakun

The renowned scout worked closely with the Franco-German tactician throughout his more than five-year tenure as the coach of the Nigerian team.

Adelakun has since reunited with Rohr and is now serving as an assistant coach for the Benin Republic team.

Samson Akinyoola

The combative forward is another Nigerian player the Benin Republic coach will be relying on to defeat the Super Eagles.

The 24-year-old has been in exceptional form for Egyptian club Zamalek SC. Akinyoola is a product of the Lagos-based football academy, 36 Lions.

Junior Olaitan

The Troyes midfielder is another player of Nigerian descent that Coach Rohr will be counting on to defeat the Super Eagles.

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The 22-year-old, born to a Nigerian father and a Beninese mother, was a key player in Coach David Guion’s side during their French Ligue 2 relegation battle.

Tosin Aiyegun

The Lorient forward is another Nigerian-eligible player that Coach Rohr will rely on to challenge the Super Eagles.

This combative forward was one of the players the Franco-German tactician considered for a potential call-up to the Nigerian team during his tenure as manager.

According to data from Fotmob, the 25-year-old contributed to two goals in his 20 appearances for Lorient, although the team unfortunately faced relegation to the second tier of French football.

Odegbami names an ingredient for Finidi’s success

In another report, Sports Brief stated former captain of the Super Eagles, Segun Odegbami, has identified a key ingredient for Finidi’s success as Nigeria’s coach.

The 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner hinted at the calibre of players available to coach Finidi through his stint as manager.

The newly appointed Super Eagles gaffer recently announced his 23-man squad list for the FIFA World Cup qualification fixtures against South Africa and the Benin Republic.