BY KUNLE SOLAJA

Former Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr, who is now with neighbouring Benin Republic, will opt for attacking football in Thursday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying duel between Benin Republic and Nigeria.

Sources in the Benin Republic informed Sports Village Square that the Franco-German coach must win the potentially difficult match to get Benin’s qualifying chances back on track.

A win will put the team just a point behind the group leaders. He therefore tweaked his 25-man selection with three major returns that added Remo Stars’ Sergie Adebiyi Obassa who had previously been in goal for the team while featuring for   Buffles FC du Borgou.

Also included is Ryan Adigo. His inclusion and that of Obassa is to present an air-tight defence line to wade off possible counter-attack by the Super Eagles whose territory, the Benin Cheetahs hope to put under constant bombardment.

To further seal the Cheetahs’ defence line, Cédric Hountondji has been assigned as a replacement for injured Rabiou Sankamao.

It is the first time that Sankamao will be absent from Gernot Rohr’s squad since his U-20 days at Egypt 2022.

David Kiki who has been absent since the injury he sustained last September in Uyo during the first-leg match with the Super Eagles has recovered and will be fielded on Thursday night.

He could be at the left-full back in place of Yohan Roche. Possibly to lead the attack will be the duo of Jodel Dossou and Steve Mouna, who scored last June in Benin Republic’s first-ever defeat of the Nigerian national team in 65 years.

Remo Stars manager, Daniel Ogunmodede, has weighed in on the main reason why Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, invited some Super Eagles players.

Super Eagles are gearing up for the AFCON 2025 final qualifying matches against the Republic of Benin and Rwanda but the invitation of players has seen the return of some players back to fold while some are having a taste of the national team for the first time.

In an interview with NFF TV, Ogunmodede who is one of the two assistant coaches attached to Austin Eguavoen said that the invitation of the players is in the best interest of the nation going by the injuries of some of the regulars.

Ogunmodede noted that Sadiq Umar, who was an unused striker by Real Sociedad on Sunday in the lone goal win against leaders, FC Barcelona, had previously been sidelined due to injury, has now returned to the team.

“(Umar) Sadiq has been in the team for a while. He was also out due to injury. Now he’s back, and maybe Collins because the head coach felt we needed the left-footed centre-back, and presently, in the league, we have a Collins who has, to a reasonable extent, proved his worth.” he pointed out.

Elaborating on Collins’ selection, he explained the importance of being a left-footed centre-back in the squad.

According to the tactician, the head coach’s thorough scouting of the local league helped identify Collins as a key player, as his performances have stood out in the Nigerian Premier Football League.

“This is to show that the head coach is doing a massive job. He has gone around the country to watch the league, and in Victor Collins, he has this utmost belief. I’ve only watched him two, three times in the league and possibly he is the strongest left-footed centre-back presently we have in the Nigerian Premier Football League.” he added.

The former KAA Gent defender recalled Gabriel Osho, who could not make his debut against Nigeria against Ghana and Mali due to injury worries.

Ogunmodede said that the reasons for the inclusion of AJ Auxerre defender as being the perfect replacement for West Brom defender, Semi Ajayi, who has been sidelined due to injury.

“We believe each player is capable and qualified to represent Nigeria. Most are familiar faces, though Gabriel Osho is a new addition due to Semi Ajayi’s recent surgery,” he said.

The Super Eagles will tackle Benin on Thursday at the Stade Félix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, then welcome Rwanda to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on the 18th of November.

What a contrasting fortune. Nigeria’s league leaders Remo Stars have two personalities featuring in the crucial Benin Republic versus Nigeria Africa Cup qualifying match in Abidjan on Thursday.

The club’s head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede is an assistant coach with the Super Eagles. The goalkeeper, Adebiyi Serge Obassa is the club’s number one choice.

Obassa has been invited by Gernot Rohr to feature for Benin Republic. He could therefore feature against Nigeria on Thursday in Abidjan.

Both Ogunmode and Obassa left Ikenne base of Remo Stars to Murtala Mohammed Airport a friendly player-manager note.

A video clip supplied by Super Eagles’ media officer, Promise Efoghe showed both exchanging banters at the Lagos airport.  

Speaking in Yoruba, the coach could be heard telling Obassa “I brought you to Nigeria and now you are playing against me.”

Both were dashing up and down as if shadowboxing.  Then in Abidjan, Obassa could be heard telling his club coach that Benin Republic would win Thursday’s match by 2-0 and that Nigeria would then beat Rwanda in Uyo days later to secure qualification.

To that, Ogunmode responded that Nigeria’s qualification will be confirmed on Thursday while Obassa and his teammates will have to contend with experiencing what the Super Eagles tasted in Libya.

To that, Obassa responded that the Libyans would be barred from hosting any match if there is a repeat of ‘hostage’ holding.