“They tend to take their foot off the gas” – Ex-Super Eagles coach pinpoints why Nigeria lost to Rwanda

Former head coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Gernot Rohr, has revealed a weakness in the gameplay of Augustine Eguavoen’s team, citing it as a reason for their loss to Rwanda, Soccernet.ng reports.

The German tactician is currently in charge of the Republic of Benin, and his side played a 1-1 draw against the Super Eagles when both sides met at the Stade Félix Houphouet-Boigny in Ivory Coast last week, with Nigeria sealing a spot at the AFCON 2025 tournament.

In Nigeria’s final group game against the Wasps of Rwanda, Eguavoen opted to field a slightly weaker team and despite taking the lead in the 59th minute, the Super Eagles didn’t hold on for long as they surrendered their lead to the Rwandans who sealed their first-ever win against Nigeria.

Rohr, whose side sealed qualification to the AFCON 2025 tournament as well, shared his thoughts about Nigeria’s style of play.

“Against Nigeria, we were pegged back by Osimhen a few minutes before the end. I know this team well from having coached them.

They sometimes tend to take their foot off the gas when they think they have qualified. This can give their opponents the opportunity to spring a surprise, as was the case with Rwanda,” the 71-year-old said in quotes revealed by Brila.

Rohr led Nigeria to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and to a bronze medal at the AFCON 2019 tournament before he was fired prior to the start of the AFCON 2021.

The Super Eagles will play against the Republic of Benin in October, 2025 in the final World Cup qualifier for both sides.