Gernot Rohr Slams Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup Playoff Qualification as “Unmerited”
By VISBLOG News Desk
October 23, 2025
Former Super Eagles coach and current manager of the Benin Republic national team, Gernot Rohr, has stirred controversy after claiming that Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs “lacked merit.”
Rohr made the statement while reacting to Benin’s elimination from the qualification race, following a 4–0 defeat to Nigeria in Uyo on October 14. The result saw Nigeria advance to the playoffs stage of the qualifiers, while Benin missed out despite finishing on 17 points — the same as Nigeria in Group C.
Rohr Questions Officiating in Decisive Match
According to Rohr, the Super Eagles’ victory was aided by controversial refereeing decisions, particularly in two of Victor Osimhen’s goals. The former Nigerian coach argued that the first goal should have been disallowed for offside, while the second was preceded by a foul on a Beninese defender.
“Two of the goals Nigeria scored should not have stood. The officiating decisions changed everything for us,” Rohr said.
“My players gave everything, but the referee’s calls made it impossible. We should have qualified; we earned it on the field.”
Rohr lamented that despite his team’s earlier historic 2–1 victory over Nigeria in Abidjan during the qualifiers, officiating inconsistencies and lack of VAR technology robbed them of a fair chance to progress.
Nigeria’s Road to the Playoffs
The Super Eagles’ qualification journey had been shaky, marked by inconsistent performances and criticism from fans. However, the emphatic win against Benin propelled them into the playoff stage on goal difference.
Osimhen’s hat-trick and a strike from Frank Onyeka sealed the crucial win at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, giving Nigeria a strong finish in the group campaign.
Despite the triumph, Rohr’s comments have cast a shadow over Nigeria’s achievement, sparking debates among fans and football analysts about the credibility of refereeing in CAF qualifiers.
Reactions and Wider Implications
Football observers say Rohr’s remarks highlight long-standing concerns over officiating standards in African football. Critics argue that the absence of VAR in some qualifying matches creates room for controversy in high-stakes games.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has not officially responded to Rohr’s claims. Analysts believe the Super Eagles, boasting world-class talents like Osimhen, Chukwueze, and Lookman, should have qualified without dispute — but Rohr’s allegations have rekindled scrutiny of CAF’s officiating system.
Nigeria now advances to the CAF World Cup Playoffs, where they will battle for one of Africa’s coveted slots in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Benin’s campaign, on the other hand, ends in disappointment — but Rohr maintains his side were “robbed” of a historic qualification.