Rohr Declares Support for Super Eagles Ahead of 2026 World Cup Qualifying Playoffs

Former Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr, has thrown his weight behind the Nigerian national team as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs.

Rohr, who now manages the Benin Republic national team, expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to secure qualification for the World Cup, citing the team’s depth and attacking talent.

“Super Eagles have so many high-level players and strikers. We tried against them but we could not do it,” Rohr said during an interview on Brila FM.
“We beat them during the qualifiers and it’s a result we were proud of, but I will be supporting the Super Eagles in the playoffs.”

The playoffs will see Eric Chelle’s men battle for the sole qualification ticket alongside the Panthers of Gabon, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, and the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Nigeria will begin their campaign with a clash against Gabon in the first semi-final on Thursday, November 13, at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex in Rabat, Morocco.

On the same day, Cameroon will face off against DR Congo at the El Barid Stadium in another crucial tie.

Rohr, who managed the Super Eagles between 2016 and 2021, led the team to qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2019 AFCON semi-finals. His show of support for Nigeria comes despite now coaching one of their regional rivals.

The playoffs promise to be fiercely competitive, but Rohr’s endorsement reflects the widespread belief that the Super Eagles remain one of Africa’s strongest sides capable of flying the continent’s flag at the 2026 global showpiece.