Franco-German coach Gernot Rohr has issued the Super Eagles warning ahead of their African Play-Offs final match against the Democratic Republic of Congo tomorrow in Rabat, Morocco.
While Nigeria took out Gabon in sparkling 4-1 semi-finals win on Tuesday, the DR Congo edged the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon to set the stage for Sunday’s winner-takes-all play-off final for 2026 World Cup pathway at the Stade Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan.
Rohr who led the Super Eagles to their last World Cup at Russia 2018,said Nigeria must approach tomorrow’s game with caution, adding the DR Congo possess a strong squad with individually brilliant and physically dominant players.
He noted that the Congolese side remain dangerous on set pieces, as demonstrated in their most recent matches
Nevertheless, Rohr who actually predicted a Nigeria versus DR Congo Play-offs final in an interview with NationSports penultimate Monday, expressed confidence in the ability of the Super Eagles to advance if they maintain discipline and unity throughout what should be an explosive encounter.
“ Of course, Nigeria is the favourite but they must be careful,” said Rohr, the current manager of The Cheetahs of Benin Republic.“ Congo has a physically strong team and are dangerous on set pieces like they showed against Cameroon with good physical and mental strength.
“ It will be an interesting game but I think Nigeria will go through because they have better qualities collectively .”
Rohr whose Beninese side will face Burkina Faso in Rabat in an international friendly on November 18th , said he and his wards will watch Sunday’s Play-Offs finale seriously since they will also play against DR Congo in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D opener on December 23rd.
“Of course, we are going to watch the match on Sunday in Rabat because we are also playing against Burkina Faso in Rabat on Tuesday,” he said.“ It’s important for us because we are playing our first game in the AFCON against DR Congo in December.
“But we would see if my prediction that Nigeria would win will come through just as I ‘d predicted both teams to win the Play-Offs’ semi-finals ,” he noted.
