Benin Republic coach, Gernot Rohr, explains why his team lost to Nigeria

Coach of the senior national team of Benin Republic Gernot Rohr has explained why his team were beaten 4-0 by Nigeria in their final world cup qualifiers game yesterday in Uyo, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Rohr’s team came into the game needing at least a draw to keep their hope alive , but failed to stand the firepower of a rampant Nigerian team led by top striker Victor Osimhen who scored a hat trick in the rout.

Substitute Frank Onyeka scored the vital fourth goal for Nigeria which helped them to seal a play off spot, and in the process ended the hope of Benin Republic appearing at the world cup for the first time in their history.

“A big disappointment because we wanted to go to World Cup also with our country Benin for the first time in the history but we could not”, the coach said at the post match.

“We had to win here and to win in Nigeria when Nigeria is also playing for the playoff is something which is very difficult, especially if you miss two suspended players from the last game in Rwanda and three injured players we had already before from the September games, so we don’t have enough players of high level.

“Like, you know, we have some players who started the match who don’t have a club actually. We have some players who are playing in the fifth division in France, but I’m proud of my team. I’m proud because they did so very well in this qualifiers for the World Cup, and we could hope until the last game today to go there. That’s why, really, I’m very happy to be the coach of this team.”