'It's not by chance they beat Nigeria' - Zimbabwe coach lauds Gernot Rohr after draw v Benin

Zimbabwe head coach Michael Nees has praised Benin and their manager Gernot Rohr following their 2-2 draw in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Thursday. 

Nees acknowledged the strength of the Benin side and credited Rohr’s experience for their recent performances, including their victory over Nigeria.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Nees highlighted Benin’s quality and progress under Rohr’s leadership. 

"This is a very good team, Benin. It is not by chance their standing on the table,” the Zimbabwean coach said. 

"The coach (Gernot Rohr) is an experienced coach, working with them over two years and it's not by chance they beat Nigeria."

Benin’s performance in the World Cup qualifiers has been impressive, with their victory over Nigeria in June standing out as a key result. 

The 2-1 win against the Super Eagles in Abidjan was a crucial moment in their campaign, boosting their chances of qualification while putting Nigeria in a difficult position.

Rohr, who previously managed Nigeria and led them to the 2018 World Cup and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, has been tasked with transforming Benin into a competitive force. 

Since taking over in 2023, the Franco-German coach has instilled discipline and tactical organization in the team.

Under his guidance, Benin have shown resilience and a clear tactical structure, making them difficult opponents in Group C. 

Their ability to hold Zimbabwe to a 2-2 draw further underlines their attacking quality and fighting spirit. Despite conceding twice, Benin showed determination to secure a valuable point.

For Zimbabwe, the draw represents a mixed result in their campaign. While they managed to score twice, they were unable to secure all three points, leaving them in a challenging position in the standings. 

The Warriors have struggled for consistency and will need better results in the upcoming matches to stay in contention for qualification.

Benin’s impressive form in the qualifiers has put them in contention for a World Cup spot, an achievement that would be historic for the country. 

Their recent results, including the win over Nigeria, demonstrate their growth and ambition under Rohr.

With the race for qualification heating up, Benin’s ability to maintain their form in upcoming matches will be crucial.

Rohr’s experience and tactical acumen will play a key role in their pursuit of a place at the 2026 World Cup.

As for Nigeria, their defeat to Benin was a significant setback in their qualification hopes. 

The Super Eagles, traditionally one of Africa’s strongest teams, have faced criticism for their performances in the campaign so far. 

Rohr’s former team now find themselves in a difficult position, needing a strong response in the remaining fixtures to keep their World Cup dreams alive.

Wale Adejumo

Photo Credit: zifa.org.zw

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