Former coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr says South Africa are in a better position to qualify for the 2026 World Cup ahead of his former side, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
South Africa are joint leaders with Rwanda but in second position due to an inferior goal difference, the same point with Rohr’s team Benin Republic who are third going into the next round of games starting from Thursday.
Benin Republic will be up against Zimbabwe on Thursday in South Africa, and Rohr was asked about the favorite to make it from the group which has Nigeria, South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and his team Benin Republic.
He reckoned that while the Super Eagles and South Africa are the favorites, the latter hold a better chance of making it to the world cup ahead of his former side despite admitting that both teams have quality players in their rank.
“South Africa and Nigeria are the favourites in this Group C, and I quite agree,” said the German coach upon touching down in South Africa for their clash against Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, according to NationSports.
“They can win the group when you look at the quality of their players, even though some of them are not even playing regularly (with their clubs) because they are not fit enough.
“You can say they are favourites, especially South Africa, but we shall see. But for us, we are preparing well.
“We are already here in Durban with some players already, and more coming in tomorrow (today); so we have started preparations already.
“It was a long trip to Durban, and we had about a six-hour stopover in Johannesburg before we connected to Durban, but we are expecting about four more players tonight (Sunday).”
Ade Emmanuel
