2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Rohr faults fixture imbalance favouring South Africa
Ahead of the Group C final World Cup qualifying matches on Tuesday, Benin Republic coach Gernot Rohr has pointed out what he described as an imbalance in fixtures that favoured South Africa. The Franco-German coach spoke to the press ahead of their crucial clash against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Uyo. A win or draw for the Cheetahs would see them qualify for the World Cup, while Nigeria must win to keep their hopes of flying the national flag in the USA, Canada, and Mexico alive. Rohr explained that South Africa had played seven home games, an advantage unique to them in Group C. "My team is ready, they made good progress, worked hard, and when you see that South Africa from the ten games played seven games at home, only two games away in Rwanda and Nigeria. Against us, it was in Ivory Coast," the former Super Eagles coach told the press in Uyo. "So it was a big advantage for South Africa, it's not equal. That’s why I think we are here now and we should enjoy this game, not only to have stress and think of the result but to be happy to be here and to play a good football game, in a good spirit." Rohr will be facing the Nigerian side he managed at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.