2026 World Cup: Rohr Says Nigeria Didn’t Deserve Qualification After Controversial Win

Benin Republic coach, Gernot Rohr, has questioned the fairness of Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs, claiming the Super Eagles’ 4–0 victory over his team in Uyo earlier this month was aided by poor officiating.

The heavy defeat on October 14 ended Benin’s hopes of qualifying for their first-ever World Cup. Nigeria’s star striker, Victor Osimhen, netted a hat-trick before Frank Onyeka sealed the win with a fourth goal but Rohr insists that two of Osimhen’s goals should have been disallowed.

Speaking to CAFonline, the former Super Eagles coach said:

“Our only regrets concern the first two goals conceded in Nigeria in the decisive match. These situations would have deserved, in my opinion, a different decision and would have allowed us to obtain more justice.”

Rohr argued that Osimhen’s opening goal was offside, adding that the absence of VAR might have cost his team a fair outcome. He also protested the second goal, claiming Osimhen fouled a defender before heading the ball into the net.

Despite the loss, Rohr praised his team’s performance throughout the qualifiers.

“We finished the World Cup qualifiers with 17 points, as many as Nigeria, which already constitutes a significant confidence boost. We were the only team to beat Nigeria in Abidjan, while they remained undefeated in all other matches,” he said.

Benin ended the qualifying campaign level on points with Nigeria but missed out on the playoffs due to an inferior weighted ranking following Eritrea’s withdrawal from the group.

The Super Eagles are now set to face Gabon in Morocco on November 13 in a crucial playoff semifinal. The winner will meet either Cameroon or DR Congo for one of Africa’s slots in the intercontinental playoffs, where the final two tickets to the 2026 World Cup will be decided.