'They have to forget they are a bit Nigerian' - Rohr sends message to Olaitan, Aiyegun ahead of Afconq

Republic of Benin's Cheetahs manager Gernot Rohr has advised his players of Nigerian descent to put aside their ties to Nigeria on Saturday when they do battle with the Super Eagles on matchday one of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The German football tactician has selected Lorient's Lagos-born striker Tosin Aiyegun and Grenoble Foot 38's deadline day signing Junior Olaitan in his squad list for the internationals in September.

Olaitan was born in Porto-Novo to a Beninese mother and Nigerian father and was eligible to represent the Super Eagles but opted to commit his international future to the Cheetahs despite growing up in Nigeria. 

As for Aiyegun, he was scouted by Gernot Rohr with a view to a call-up to the Super Eagles but the invitation never came before he was shown the exit door by the Nigeria Football Federation.

Among the notable Nigerian-born players who represented the Cheetahs are Razak Omotoyossi and Mouritala Ogunbiyi, with the latter well known for his stint at Enyimba and the former playing twice against the Super Eagles in back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations. 

Rohr has underlined that the players of Nigerian descent in his squad are motivated to face the Super Eagles on Saturday.

In response to a question at the pre-match press conference regarding his message to Benin players of Nigerian descent, he replied: "We have some players who are born in Nigerian. It's a neighboring country so they also speak Yoruba. They have to forget they are also a little bit Nigerian.

"They are now playing for Benin and they will give the best for their country and I think they will be able to have perhaps a special motivation to show that they also could have a chance to play for Nigeria.

"I hope there will not be any problem for them. They are professionals to play football tomorrow."

It remains to be seen whether Aiyegun will be handed a starting berth against the Super Eagles, given that he is behind Burnley star Andréas Hountondji in Rohr's pecking order of center forwards. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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