Benin Republic national team head coach and former Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr, has expressed his determination to maintain their position at the top of Group C in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as the competition moves into matchdays five and six.
Benin Republic currently share the top spot in the group with Nigeria, both having seven points, but trail South Africa and Rwanda on goal difference.
Rohr’s squad will travel to Durban, South Africa, to face Zimbabwe in their fifth match of the series on Thursday before returning to their adopted home in Abidjan for a crucial clash against South Africa next Tuesday.
Ahead of the matches, Rohr admitted he was surprised to see his team among the group leaders but remains optimistic about their chances of staying on top by the end of the upcoming international window.
“It is really a surprise that we (Benin), Rwanda and South Africa are the leaders after the four opening rounds of matches in this tough Group C,” Rohr said via Nation Sports.
“We won our two last games in Abidjan and now we are going to play away (against Zimbabwe in Durban) and the next against South Africa in Abidjan on March 25.
“It may be a surprise but we are here (top of Group C) and we want to stay here and do even better.”
After four matches, Rohr’s team has secured two victories, including a 2-1 win over Nigeria last June. They have also recorded one draw and one loss.
Meanwhile, Nigeria sits in fifth place in the group with just three points, having yet to win a match in the series.
Under new head coach Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles will take on Rwanda in Kigali on Friday before hosting bottom-placed Zimbabwe in Uyo next Tuesday.
