Benin Republic head coach, Gernot Rohr, has called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to ensure fairness and transparency as the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series reaches its crucial stage.
The veteran German tactician, who once handled Nigeria’s Super Eagles, stressed the need for all matches to kick off simultaneously, insisting that such a move would maintain the integrity of the qualifiers and prevent any side from gaining an undue advantage.
Rohr’s appeal comes as Benin’s Cheetahs sit atop Group C with 14 points — level with South Africa but ahead on goal difference — and three points clear of Nigeria, whom they face in a potentially decisive encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on October 14.
Before that showdown, Benin will first take on Rwanda’s Wasps at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, a fixture that could define their path to the World Cup.
Speaking to Mega Sports, Rohr said:
“We hope all matches will be played at the same time to avoid certain teams having an advantage by knowing other results before playing.”
The race for qualification remains tight, with four nations — South Africa, Benin, Nigeria, and Rwanda — still mathematically in contention for the sole automatic ticket to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For Nigeria, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Super Eagles risk missing out on back-to-back World Cups for the first time in over 30 years unless they win their remaining fixtures and results elsewhere go their way.
Benin’s impressive run under Rohr, including a dramatic 2–1 win over Nigeria earlier in the campaign, has reignited their World Cup dream — and now, the former Eagles boss is asking CAF to ensure that dream is decided on a level playing field.
