Sports

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

Published

4 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.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 256

Sports

Atletico push for Lookman as Fenerbahce near deal

Published

22 hours ago

January 31, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Atletico Madrid have intensified efforts to sign Ademola Lookman as the Turkish club Fenerbahce edge closer to completing a deal for the Nigeria forward, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Spanish side tried to sign the 28-year-old last summer but failed to reach an agreement with Atalanta.

Their primary midfield target, Leon Goretzka, announced on Friday that he would not leave Bayern Munich until the summer, forcing Sporting Director Mateu Alemany to pursue alternative options.

Atletico are now targeting Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi for midfield reinforcement, but Lookman remains their priority signing.

However, competition for the Nigeria international is fierce. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Fenerbahce’s deal is at the final stages, with the Turkish club offering a package worth €40m including variables.

According to Spanish publication Marca, Atletico acknowledge that Fenerbahce’s bid is currently higher than theirs, though they will do all they can to bring Lookman to Spain.

The player had expressed interest in a move to Spain during the summer.

Diario AS reports that Fenerbahce sporting director Devin Ozek is currently in Bergamo trying to finalise the deal.

Romano posted on Friday that while Atalanta and Fenerbahce have a verbal agreement on a €40m package, they are yet to agree on payment terms and conditions.

He added that Atletico Madrid have been calling in recent hours to ask about deal conditions.

Atletico could return for both Goretzka and Lookman in the summer, depending on what business Alemany completes before February 2.

Post Views: 41

Sports

Bayern confirm Goretzka’s end-of-season exit

Published

2 days ago

January 30, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

FC Bayern Munich have confirmed that midfielder Leon Goretzka will leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires.

The confirmation was given by Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund, who said the 29-year-old will complete the season with the club before moving on as a free agent in the summer.

According to Fabrizio Romano’s post on Friday, Freund was quoted as saying, “Leon Goretzka will leave FC Bayern in the summer as a free agent, not now. Leon’s time at FC Bayern will be over in the summer. He will go another way after 8 successful years. We’ll fight together in the coming months to achieve big things.”

The statement rules out any immediate departure, with Bayern expecting Goretzka to remain part of the squad for the rest of the campaign.

Goretzka joined Bayern in 2018 from Schalke and has been a key member of one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.

During his time in Munich, he won multiple Bundesliga titles, domestic cups, and the UEFA Champions League.

Despite increased competition for places in recent seasons, the Germany international has remained an experienced figure within the squad.

Bayern and Goretzka are now set to focus on their remaining objectives for the season before the midfielder begins a new chapter in his career this summer.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 43

Sports

West Ham sign Fulham winger Traore

Published

4 days ago

January 28, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

West Ham announced on Wednesday that they had signed winger Adama Traore from Fulham for an undisclosed fee.

The 30-year-old will be reunited at the London Stadium with manager Nuno Espirito Santo, with whom he worked previously at Wolves.

The Premier League strugglers described the forward as “strong, quick and able to create and score goals”.

Traore, who has been a peripheral player for Fulham this season, came through Barcelona’s youth system before joining Aston Villa in 2015. He has also played for Middlesbrough and Wolves.

The winger, who has made 262 Premier League appearances, scoring 14 goals, said he wanted to help relegation-threatened West Ham to the “maximum”.

“I love the challenges,” he said. “I think, of course, we have to go game by game. And this is what we’re going to do, trying to do our best. I think everything comes from belief. And I believe we’re going to achieve what we’re looking for.”

Nuno is relishing the chance to link up again with Traore, who has won eight caps for Spain.

“Adama is someone who knows the Premier League very well, and his qualities, both as a player and a person, will help us between now and the end of the season,” he said.

“He will give us a different option in attacking areas. He is also motivated to fight for us and ready to bring energy, commitment and determination to our challenge.”

West Ham are third from bottom of the Premier League, five points from safety, but have won their past two matches, against Tottenham and Sunderland.

The club has been active in the January transfer window as they battle for survival, signing forwards Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos earlier this month.

The January window closes on Monday.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 43