Head coach of the senior national team of Benin Republic Gernot Rohr says the performance of Victor Osimhen in yesterday’s game against his team left him with mixed emotions, considering the role he played in the development of the forward, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Osimhen scored a hattrick yesterday to power Nigeria to a 4-0 win over Benin Republic, which ended their chances of making it to the world cup, but sealed the spot of the Super Eagles in the playoff.
Speaking after the game, Rohr saluted the performance of Osimhen but said he is unhappy that it happened against his team and ended their world cup dream. He explained how he brought the 26 year old into the Super Eagles fold at the age of 17 after his exploits at the U17 World Cup.
“We are still a team with a lot to learn. Nigeria started with a goal in the first minutes already. I don’t know it’s offside or not offside, but we had to build a new defense because of the yellow cards. The players were not here, and then we tried. But when you have such a big player like Osimhen. I remember when I brought Osimhen in the team, he was 17 and we made here our first game against Tanzania”, the former Super Eagles coach said.
“He was already in our selection, so I’m very happy to see him like that, but I’m not happy that he did it against me and again, but I hope that he will do it in the playoffs for your country, which I love. But today, we are a little bit disappointed because the dream to go to the World Cup for us is finished”, he concluded.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
