Former Tremendous Eagles head coach and present Benin Republic supervisor, Gernot Rohr, has tipped Nigeria to win their decisive World Cup playoff match towards DR Congo, however he has warned that the Leopards pose actual hazard.
Rohr, who accurately predicted that each Nigeria and DR Congo would win their semi-final matches, mentioned the Tremendous Eagles have the stronger workforce however should stay alert after they meet on Sunday in Rabat.
Nigeria defeated Gabon 4-1 after additional time of their semi-final, whereas DR Congo booked their place with a late 1-0 victory over Cameroon.
Regardless of backing Nigeria, Rohr defined that DR Congo’s bodily power and set-piece high quality may hassle the Tremendous Eagles.
“After all, Nigeria are the favourites, however they should be cautious,” Rohr mentioned. “Congo have a really sturdy workforce bodily and they’re harmful from set items, as all of us noticed within the match towards Cameroon.”
He added that though DR Congo could make the competition tough, Nigeria’s collective high quality ought to see them via. “It will likely be an attention-grabbing recreation, however I believe Nigeria will undergo as a result of they’ve higher qualities general.”
Sunday’s match is the ultimate hurdle for each nations on the highway to the intercontinental playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A win retains Nigeria’s qualification hopes alive; a defeat ends their marketing campaign.
Rohr additionally has a private cause to observe the fixture carefully. His Benin Republic facet will face DR Congo of their opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations in December, and he confirmed he will likely be in Rabat to look at the sport.
Congo arrive with confidence after exhibiting sturdy organisation and precision in dead-ball conditions, highlighted by Chancel Mbemba’s late header towards Cameroon. Nigeria, alternatively, enter the competition in good kind, having received 5 of their final six matches.
Sunday’s conflict will likely be solely the second aggressive assembly between each groups. Nigeria received their earlier encounter 2-0 within the quarter-finals of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations.
Rohr now waits to see if his newest prediction will likely be as correct because the final.
