Gernot Rohr: Benin Head Coach Excited Getting Nigeria in AFCON 2025 Draw

• Gernot Rohr seems pleased with the draws for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as the Franco-German tactician expressed confidence
• Rohr guided the Cheetahs to a 2-1 win over the Super Eagles in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier played in Abidjan
• The former Nigerian national team coach believes his new side can go all the way to replicate the feat achieved in the Ivorian capital

The Republic of Benin head coach, Gernot Rohr, has expressed confidence after discovering their opponents for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Having defeated the Super Eagles in Abidjan in the World Cup qualifiers, Rohr believes his side can repeat such a feat.

Both teams are drawn in Group D of the qualification series alongside Libya and Rwanda.

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The draws were held on Thursday, July 4, with Nigeria in Pot 1 because of their placement on the FIFA ranking.

Rohr, who was in charge of the Nigerian national team between 2021 and 2026, admits that the squad is a good team, but added that his side can record a win.

He said via Soccernet:

“It’s a difficult draw because there’s Nigeria again. And we have Rwanda, an adversary that we know well and of whom we are wary.

"There is also Libya who have a good team, it will be a difficult trip there.

“Another reunion with Nigeria. That’s going to be three more games with them [including the upcoming second leg, counting for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers].

"It’s a reunion against a very good team. But we gained confidence and we know we can beat them.”

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Eric Chelle applies for Super Eagles job

Sports Brief earlier reported that the race to find a suitable successor for Finidi George is intensifying within the global coaching community as former Mali coach Eric Chelle has applied to manage the Super Eagles.

Numerous foreign tacticians have expressed interest in leading the Super Eagles as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) continues its quest for a new manager.

In an official statement, the federation announced its decision to shift focus towards hiring a foreign coach amidst Nigeria's precarious FIFA World Cup qualification series.