Nigeria’s Super Eagles have qualified for the playoff of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers after a resounding 4-0 victory over Benin at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, yesterday.
Victor Osimhen was the standout performer, netting a hat-trick, while Frank Onyeka capped off the scoring with a fourth goal in the dying moments of the match.
Eric Chelle’s side finished second in Group C, trailing South Africa, having edged out the Cheetahs on goal difference. This triumph maintains Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions as one of the best fourth-placed teams among the nine runners-up in the African Qualifiers.
The Super Eagles will face Gabon, Cameroon, and Burkina Faso in the African playoff, scheduled to take place in Morocco from 13th to 16th November 2025, in their quest for a ticket to the North American World Cup.
Entering the match, Nigeria found themselves three points behind group leaders Benin, both teams having secured victories in their respective matches on 10th October.
The hosts made an explosive start when Samuel Chukwueze provided a defence-splitting pass to Osimhen, who calmly slotted the ball home inside the right post just three minutes into the game.
Benin sought to respond, with Steve Mounie forcing a weak shot straight at Stanley Nwabali from close range in the 14th minute after connecting with a cross.
Opportunities continued to arise at both ends, as Osimhen directed a header over the crossbar from Chukwueze’s cross in the 22nd minute, while Andreas Hountondji struck the side-netting from an angle on the right following a promising move down that flank.
The home crowd erupted again in the 37th minute when Chukwueze and Osimhen combined effectively once more, with Chukwueze delivering a pinpoint cross that Osimhen headed home at the far post.
The Super Eagles effectively sealed the match six minutes into the second half, as Osimhen soared to meet a Moses Simon free-kick, guiding it in off the underside of the bar with his head.
Simon nearly transformed from provider to scorer in the 55th minute, forcing Benin’s goalkeeper Dandjinou into a spectacular save with a close-range effort.
Osimhen, eager for a fourth goal, was denied by Dandjinou’s outstretched glove, which kept out his header in the 79th minute.
Ultimately, the Galatasaray star had to settle for a hat-trick after being substituted for Tolu Arokodare two minutes later, receiving well-deserved applause from the supporters as he left the pitch.
There was still time for substitute Onyeka to make an impact, as he drilled a shot into the bottom left corner of the net following excellent work from Simon on the left to set him up.
