Former Super Eagles boss, Gernot Rohr, has expressed anticipation for an upcoming reunion with his former team as his current side, Benin Republic, was drawn in the same group as Nigeria for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The West African nations will compete in Group C, which also includes South Africa, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Lesotho.
Rohr, who was appointed by the Nigerian Football Federation in August 2016 and guided the Super Eagles to a commendable third-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, was relieved of his duties in December 2021.
However, in February 2023, he resurfaced as the head coach of the Benin Republic national team.
Speaking exclusively with Omasports, following the World Cup qualifying draw, the German expressed his eagerness to reconnect with familiar faces, emphasizing the importance of human relationships in football. Rohr stated, “I look forward to seeing many friends again. In football, it’s not all about the points but also the human relationship, which is the most important. I look forward to seeing you again. All the best to you and your job.”
The first two match days in the groups will be played on November 13-21, 2023 and the last two on October 6-14, 2025. The African playoff stage is scheduled for Nov. 10-18, 2025.
The top team in each of the nine groups, which each contain six countries, qualify automatically for the World Cup.
The four best runners-up will enter an African playoff stage, where the winners will feature in the inter-confederation playoffs to be held in March 2026.