Rohr: We Have To Beat Bafana Bafana On Tuesday
Benin coach Gernot Rohr maintains that his team’s World Cup qualification hopes remain strong, despite dropping two points in a 2-2 draw against Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Thursday.
Rohr’s side saw their two-goal lead erased by a determined Zimbabwe comeback.
Despite the draw, Benin went on top to lead Group C with eight points after five matches, one point ahead of Rwanda and South Africa respectively.
However, South Africa and Rwanda had the opportunity to surpass Benin when they played their respective matches on Friday. Bafana Bafana defeated Lesotho 2-0 at Peter Mokaba Stadium, while Rwanda lost with the same scoreline to Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Kigali.
“The most important game now is South Africa (in Ivory Coast on Tuesday),” Rohr stated after Thursday’s match.
“Because, as you said, we have eight points. Whatever the result on Friday, if we beat them (South Africa) on Tuesday, we will be in front of them.
“I think Rwanda will also have difficulty beating the Super Eagles with their new coach (Eric Chelle) and new motivation.
“So, we are leading, as you said, for one night because South Africa is playing on Friday – anything is possible.”
Benin is among 12 CAF member associations unable to host matches due to their stadiums not meeting FIFA and CAF standards, forcing them to play home games in Ivory Coast.
“But the game next Tuesday in Abidjan, not in Benin as you know, we must play away,” continued Rohr, who led Nigeria to an AFCON bronze medal in 2019.
“But Zimbabwe is very close to South Africa, and you have a lot of people here. We don’t have exactly the same atmosphere in Abidjan. It’s not like here, which has a fantastic public that pushes the team.
“But I’m happy because I saw a good football match, and we got one point. We are leading, we can enjoy this for one night, and let’s see on Friday what happens.”
While Benin will “host” Bafana Bafana in Ivory Coast on Tuesday, Zimbabwe will travel to Uyo to play Nigeria.
Only the group winners will automatically qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA, while the four best runners-up will have a second chance through the play-offs.
