'It's pointless' - Gernot Rohr reveals what he told Cheetahs players before WCQ against Nigeria

Benin's Cheetahs manager Gernot Rohr has urged his players to remain focused despite sitting atop Group C ahead of their final two 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Nigeria.

Benin will face Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on October 10 before travelling to Uyo for a decisive encounter with the Super Eagles on October 14.

Speaking at a press conference in Cotonou on October 3, the Franco-German tactician emphasized that the Cheetahs must not get carried away by their current position, describing any premature celebration as 'pointless'.

Rohr, who managed Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup, revealed that he had sent a clear message to his players ahead of the crucial fixtures.

In quotes relayed by Société de radio et de télévision du Bénin's website, Rohr said: "We want to do the best we can.

"But for those who think we're already at the World Cup because we happen to be first, we shouldn’t get too excited; it’s pointless.

"I wrote this to my players. I told some of them on the phone. But we have to do everything we can to live up to the first place we've been given."

Benin climbed to the top of Group C after Fifa sanctioned South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their match against Lesotho.

Ahead of the final rounds of qualifiers, the Cheetahs are level on fourteen points with South Africa and hold a three-point advantage over the Super Eagles, who will face Lesotho on October 10 before locking horns with their West African neighbors.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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