The senior national team of Nigeria will take on the Bafana Bafana of South Africa and the squirrels of Benin Republic in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in June, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
It will be the baptism of fire for new coach of the Nigerian team Finidi George, who was appointed as the substantive coach of the team after leading the team in interim capacity during the last international break in games against Ghana and Mali respectively.
Finidi said he is going into the games with the mindset of winning both games in order to help the standing of the team in the group, where they are presently third behind South Africa and surprise group leaders Rwanda.
Reacting to the statement made by the coach , former coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr who is now in charge of Benin Republic said they will make sure his words doesn’t come to pass, citing his team’s draw in friendly game against Senegal, and a slim 0-1 loss to AFCON champions Cote d’Ivoire during the last international break as an evidence of their growth as a team.
“Of course, we (Benin) are preparing our list for the game in June,” Rohr told Nationsport days after taking part in an exhibition match along with French greats Alain Giresse, Zinedine Zidane, amongst others, in the Centenary celebration of Bordeaux. “It’s normal for George to say he wants to win his two games, but everybody wants to win their games. I know South Africa won’t be easy for Nigeria in Uyo and they will also come to face us (unfortunately for us not in Cotonou) but in Abidjan for their second match.”
“We did two good friendlies against Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal in March and we should be ready; we are just waiting for the end of the leagues and I’m sure in about two weeks’ time, our definitive list for the two matches will be ready.
“Though we are going to be opponents, it will be another opportunity to see my friends, because football, first and foremost, is about relationships and friendships.
“There will be emotions but we are professionals; and everybody has to do his job,” Rohr, who will be 71 on June 28, noted.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
