The head coach of the senior national team of Benin Republic Gernot Rohr has made public the list of players who will prosecute their upcoming 2026 world cup qualifiers games against Rwanda and Nigeria respectively, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
They will square up against the group leaders Rwanda on the 6th of June at their adopted home ground in Cote d’Ivoire, before welcoming the Super Eagles of Nigeria to the same venue on the 10th of June.
In the squad made public by the German coach, who holds the record of the longest serving foreign coach in the history of the senior national team of Nigeria included three players of Nigerian descent and his assistant Tunde Adelakun is also a Nigerian.
Adelakun was key in the coach getting the Nigerian job and they have maintained their relationship since then. He has now graduated him to the role of his assistants unlike his role which wasn’t defined while was in charge of Nigeria.
Samson Olarewaju Akinyoola of Egyptian giants Zamalek led the way for the Nigerian amomg the playing staff after announcing himself with a brace in his debut game for the team. The 24 year old who is a graduate of the famous 36 Lions Academy of Lagos was born to a Nigerian father and grew up in Lagos. He qualifies for Benin Republic through his ancestral roots.
Junior Olaitan Ishola of second division French side Troyes will also play a key role in the game against Nigeria as he will be tasked with stopping the Nigerians from dominating the midfield. The 22 year old was born to a Nigerian father and a Beninese mother.
Power playing forward Tosin Aiyegun of relegated French Ligue 1 side Lorient is one player whom Rohr noticed during his days as coach of Nigeria, while he was playing for Latvian side Ventspils.
Now established as a top professional in mainstream Europe, the once upon a time Super Eagles hopeful will no doubt lead the assault against the Super Eagles on the 10th.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
