Super Eagles’ interim head coach, Augustine Eguavoen has given a stern warning to Benin Republic and its manager, Gernot Rohr that Nigeria is a country that you don’t toy with.
Eguavoen issued this warning on Wednesday night during his pre-match press conference ahead of the Super Eagles’ 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Thursday night.
The Super Eagles’ gaffer added that he is aware Rohr knows a lot about his team, having managed them for more than five years from 2016 to 2021 but that doesn’t mean Nigeria will not defeat Benin.
“We have worked with Gernot Rohr for so many years, he was our head coach, a very good coach, no doubt. He knows us in and out, he is a part of us, we also know him inside and outside,” Eguavoen told reporters.
“We know what Rohr is capable of but you know Nigeria is a country that you don’t toy with. We respect our opponents but we play with the mindset that we want to win all our games.
“Well, that is easier said than done but we fight for every ball, we fight for every point and that exactly is what we want to do when we play against Benin Republic on Thursday.
“In respect to everything I just said, we should all have it at the back of our minds that Benin Republic is not a pushover but we will work hard to make sure we achieve our objectives.”
With 10 points from four matches, seven goals for and none against and top of their Group D, the Eagles will walk with an extra bounce into the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.
The Super Eagles will target their fifth consecutive clean sheet in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying encounter against neighbours, Benin Republic in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Thursday evening.
Nigeria remains the frontrunners in Group D, showcasing solid performances that have seen them yet to concede a goal, having thrashed Benin 3-0 in the opener at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
