'I know this team well' - Benin coach Rohr reveals what went wrong in Super Eagles' loss to Rwanda

Benin's Cheetahs coach Gernot Rohr has highlighted the major factor behind the Super Eagles' historic loss to Rwanda in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier held at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Monday evening.

The Super Eagles had already secured qualification for the tournament in Morocco with two games to spare, after Libya's road win in Rwanda before the start of the Benin versus Nigeria encounter in Abidjan.

On the final matchday in Group D of Afcon qualifying, the Super Eagles had nothing but pride to play for, given they were guaranteed top spot in the group, while Rwanda, Benin and Libya battled for the second position.

Against the Wasps, Augustine Eguavoen made seven changes to the side, handing starts to Maduka Okoye, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Victor Boniface and Moses Simon.

Chukwueze's brilliant individual goal handed Nigeria the lead near the hour mark, but Rwanda responded with Mutsinzi's equalizer in the 72nd minute and Nshuti's decisive strike shortly after.

Rohr, who coached Nigeria for five years before his acrimonious departure in the weeks leading up to the 2021 Afcon, suggested that the Super Eagles were humbled by Rwanda because the three-time African champions did not take the game seriously. 

In quotes relayed by Fraternite, the German tactician stated: "Against Nigeria, we were pegged back by Osimhen a few minutes before the end. 

"I know this team well from having coached them. They sometimes tend to take their foot off the gas when they think they have qualified. 

"This can give their opponents the opportunity to spring a surprise, as was the case with Rwanda."

Benin and Rwanda both ended Group D of the AFCON qualifiers with eight points, but the Cheetahs claimed second place thanks to their superior head-to-head record

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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