Sports

Gernot Rohr: My Mission In Nigeria Is To Take Benin Republic To 2026 World Cup

Published

8 months ago

October 14, 2025

Benin Republic head coach, Gernot Rohr, has made it clear that his return to Nigeria has nothing to do with emotions but everything to do with the business of securing a World Cup ticket.

The former Super Eagles manager, who now leads the Cheetahs of the Benin Republic, is just one step away from making history by guiding the tiny West African nation to their first-ever FIFA World Cup. Benin currently tops Group C with 17 points from nine matches, sitting above South Africa and Nigeria.

Speaking with journalists in Uyo ahead of Tuesday’s high-stakes clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Gernot Rohr said his focus is solely on his team’s qualification dream.

“I have a lot of friends in Nigeria, even in this team. Some of the players here are ones I brought into the squad,” Rohr said. “But this is not a moment for emotions or memories. The focus is on a big match, and we’ll all be there to witness it.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m., and the stakes couldn’t be higher. While Benin need only a draw to seal qualification, the Super Eagles must win by at least two goals to keep their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico alive.

Rohr, who coached Nigeria from 2016 to 2021, warned that his team is no stranger to tough away battles. Due to CAF’s stadium restrictions, Benin have played all their qualifying matches outside their home country.

“When you see that we played all the matches away, not one match at home,” Rohr explained. “We are used to playing away and having some finals. We also had it in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. We also had the last game very difficult in Libya under very special circumstances. Nigeria saw how it is there, and we won there in a very bad atmosphere.”

The 70-year-old German tactician believes that the experience of constantly playing on the road has toughened his squad and given them the mental edge to face Nigeria in Uyo.

“We go for a win but we know that we have to be patient and we know that Nigeria has only a chance if they win, so I believe it will be a very open match,” he added.

Despite the rivalry and tension surrounding the fixture, Rohr called for calm, reminding everyone that football should unite, not divide.

“It’s not a war, it’s a football game. Whatever the result will be, we will leave here and we will stay friends,” Rohr told reporters. “Now the moment for us is to be ready, to be relaxed and to have a good game tomorrow.”

With South Africa also set to face Rwanda in the group’s other fixture, Tuesday’s matches will decide who earns a direct ticket to North America next summer.

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Sports

Somalian referee who was elected best in Africa denied entry to US for World Cup Duties

Published

12 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

World Cup referee Omar Artan has been denied entry to the United States, just three days before the tournament is set to begin. The Somali official was poised to become the first-ever referee from his country to take charge of a match at a Fifa World Cup.

Artan, 34, was named the best African referee for 2025 by the Confederation of African Football and has previously officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations. He reportedly encountered difficulties securing a visa but benefited from support from the Somali embassy in Nairobi, which enabled him to obtain a diplomatic passport.

He travelled from Kenya through Turkey to Miami, after FIFA confirmed last week that his visa situation had been “fully resolved” and that he would be available to officiate at the tournament. Denied entry to the US, he has now returned to Istanbul.

The Somali is one of eight referees from CAF selected by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup. There are also eight from the AFC, nine from Concacaf, one from the OFC, 12 from Conmebol, and 15 from Uefa. Those from Uefa countries include Poland’s Szymon Marciniak, who refereed the 2022 World Cup final, as well as England’s Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver. In total, 170 referees, assistant referees, and video assistant referees will take charge of the record 104 matches across the three host nations.

It currently remains unclear what will happen if Artan is not permitted entry in time for the tournament. The Somali FA and FIFA have been contacted for comment.

The US travel ban has already caused issues for some players expected to feature in the World Cup. Despite not qualifying for the tournament, Somalia features on the travel ban list. Switzerland striker Breel Embolo was initially barred from flying to the country due to travel issues related to a 2018 court ruling; he was convicted in 2023 of making multiple threats and handed a suspended fine. Those issues have since been resolved, and he has arrived in San Diego.

Iran have been forced to change their plans for the tournament and will now be based in Mexico. The squad will only be allowed into the US on matchdays and must leave on the same day.

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Sports

Galatasaray ask Osimhen to lure Lookman

Published

16 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Galatasaray have enlisted the help of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen in their pursuit of fellow Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, asking the striker to use his influence to convince his international teammate to make the move to Istanbul this summer, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

According to Turkish football outlet Fotomac, the Turkish champions are understood to be seriously interested in signing Lookman from Atlético Madrid, where the 28-year-old has been one of the club’s most impressive performers since joining from Atalanta in a deal worth €35m in the January transfer window. Lookman contributed five goals and four assists in 24 appearances for Diego Simeone’s side, helping them reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League and the final of the Copa del Rey with crucial goals against Barcelona in both competitions.

Galatasaray’s decision to approach Osimhen as an informal mediator reflects the scale of the challenge they face in pulling off the transfer.

Atlético Madrid, who have already lost Antoine Griezmann and are navigating exit talks involving Julian Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth, would be deeply reluctant to sanction another high-profile departure.

Lookman’s versatility and productivity make him precisely the type of player Simeone is unlikely to release without significant resistance.

The financial obstacle is equally daunting.

Lookman’s salary in Spain is understood to be considerably higher than what Galatasaray currently pay most of their players outside of Osimhen’s exceptional €21m-per-year arrangement, and closing that gap would require a creative financial structure.

Osimhen’s relationship with Galatasaray is no secret. The 27-year-old has spoken warmly of the club and its supporters since arriving on loan in 2024/25 before his €75m permanent move was completed last summer.

Lookman has previously been linked with Inter Milan, Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray at various points in his career. Whether Galatasaray can structure an offer compelling enough to turn Atlético Madrid’s head, with or without Osimhen’s persuasion, remains the central question of what appears a complex and difficult deal.

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Sports

Leao set to miss Eagles friendly after red card

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Portugal winger Rafael Leão is expected to miss his country’s final World Cup build-up game against Nigeria on Wednesday after being sent off in Saturday’s friendly against Chile, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Leão was dismissed shortly before half-time for punching Chile defender Ivan Román in the face.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Portugal secured a 2-1 victory courtesy of second-half goals from Gonçalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes before Román halved the deficit in stoppage time.

The AC Milan forward was handed a starting berth after missing several of the club’s recent matches through suspension and selection decisions by coach Max Allegri.

As a result of his latest dismissal, Leão is expected to miss Wednesday’s friendly against Nigeria if handed the standard one-match suspension.

His suspension could however extend into their group games at the World Cup, potentially missing the games against DR Congo and Uzbekistan.

The clash against Nigeria at the at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria will be Portugal’s third tune up game before departing for the World Cup having won 2-0 against co-hosts USA and Chile as well.

For Nigeria, it will mark the end of a rebuilding window under coach Eric Chelle.

Last Wednesday, the Super Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by Poland in Warsaw.

Before then, they had beaten Zimbabwe and Jamaica enroute to retaining the Unity Cup title in London.

The last time both countries met before the 2022 World Cup, Portugal beat Nigeria 4-0.

Like it was four years ago, the Super Eagles have missed out on another edition of the tournament, marking their first time they will be missing consecutive tournaments since their first appearance in 1994.

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