Benin Republic coach Gernot Rohr has revealed he was pleasantly surprised to see Finidi George replace Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze during Monday’s clash in Abidjan, Soccernet.ng reports.
Franco-German gaffer Rohr masterminded Benin’s first-ever victory over Nigeria’s senior men’s national team following a 2-1 win in their matchday four clash of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
All three goals arrived in the opening half, as Raphael Onyedika handed Nigeria a 27th-minute lead before Jodel Dossou and Steve Mounié turned the tie around in Benin’s favour.
With Nigeria desperate for an equaliser, coach George Finidi sent on Paul Onuachu to replace Alex Iwobi in the 51st minute to force more Super Eagles presence in the Cheetahs’ danger area.
On the hour-mark, Samuel Chukwueze was substituted with Rizespor midfielder Ibrahim Olawoyin taking the place of the AC Milan forward.
Bright Osayi-Samuel, Wilfred Ndidi, and Terem Moffi were also substituted as Finidi made five changes in the second half, with the Super Eagles searching for a way back into the game in vain.
However, of the lot, it was the removal of Iwobi and Chukwueze that most delighted Rohr, who was Super Eagles coach for five years before he was sacked in December 2021.
The former Girondins Bordeaux manager confessed his side was able to ward off Nigeria’s attacks easily after the exit of Iwobi and Chukwueze.
“Of course, coach Finidi tried and he made five changes,” Rohr volunteered as per The Nation.
“And when I saw that he pulled out Iwobi and Chukwueze, who are both very dangerous players and brought in the big strikers, we had to react by bringing out our defensive midfielders (Cisse) in order to resist the attacks.
“For me, Chukwueze and Iwobi are two of the best players of the Super Eagles and I was finally happy for my team that they didn’t play throughout the match.”
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and look on course to miss out on the next edition to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
NB: Should Finidi have substituted Iwobi and Chukwueze? Leave your comments below.