Rohr Recruits Obassa for Key Qualifiers, Citing Super Eagles’ Defensive Gaps

Benin’s national team coach, Gernot Rohr, has called up Remo Stars goalkeeper Serge Obassa for the crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Nigeria and Libya in November. Obassa, who missed the Cheetahs’ last six games, was recalled due to his outstanding form in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), where he has achieved four clean sheets in his first six games for league leaders Remo Stars.

Rohr, a former Nigeria coach himself, values Obassa’s familiarity with Nigerian football, seeing it as a potential asset for the Benin squad. “Sergio Obassa knows Nigerian football very well since he plays for Remo Stars, which is one of the best clubs in Nigeria at the moment,” Rohr noted. The coach also suggested that Nigeria’s defense, weakened by the absence of key players like Semi Ajayi and Zaidu Sanusi, may be vulnerable, which his team hopes to capitalize on.

Though Nigeria leads Group D with ten points and has not conceded any goals in the qualifiers so far, Rohr believes the Cheetahs can find opportunities against an inexperienced Super Eagles backline. Alongside Obassa, Rohr has also included Lenny Piringuel, who has impressed with French club Rouen.