Cotonou – Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr says the team will approach Saturday’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Squirrels of Benin Republic at the Stade Charles de Gaulle in Port Novo with the intention of picking all three points, no matter the result of the group’s other tie in southern Africa.
With three –pointer Sierra Leone, third in the pool, concluding their game away to bottom –placed Lesotho in Maseru earlier, the Eagles could be guaranteed qualification for the final tournament in Cameroon before kick-off in Porto Novo. Failure by the Leone Stars to pick all three points will mean Nigeria and Benin are through to Cameroon.
“We are keen to restore a winning mentality to the group ahead of very crucial matches that we have ahead. It is important that we earn victories in the upcoming matches so that we get into our paces for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. There will be tough games to come and we need to be rearing to go.”
Nigeria top their group with eight points, one better than the Squirrels of Benin Republic and will qualify for the tournament proper which holds next year in Cameroun.
The Eagles have Cape Verde, Liberia and Central Africa Republic to dispute in the 2022 FIFA World Cup race, with only the winner heading to the final knockout series in November. Liberia’s Lone Star will be the Eagles’ first opponents in that race, at home, before a trip to Bangui.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles will travel by waterways to Porto Novo on Friday morning, and will stay the night in the Beninoise capital, Cotonou before moving to Porto Novo on Saturday for the game. The contingent will return to Cotonou after the game and travel back to Lagos on Sunday morning.