From George Chinedu
Victor Osimhen produced a stunning hat-trick, while substitute Frank Onyeka added a late screamer as Nigeria stormed past Benin Republic 4–0 in Uyo on Tuesday evening — a result that sealed the Super Eagles’ place in the Four-Team CAF Playoff Tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The three-time African champions went into the game knowing a win would keep their qualification hopes alive. Despite South Africa’s 2–0 victory over Rwanda in Nelspruit, Nigeria needed no motivation of their own as they turned on the style at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
It took Osimhen just two minutes to make his mark. The Napoli striker latched onto a fine pass from Samuel Chukwueze and coolly slotted past goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou to open the scoring.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was called into action shortly after, pulling off a superb save to deny Steve Mounié as Benin tried to hit back. But Nigeria remained relentless, with Osimhen heading just over before doubling the lead in the 36th minute — again assisted by Chukwueze’s precise delivery.
After the break, the Super Eagles kept pressing, aware that their best route to qualification would come through the playoff route. Osimhen completed his hat-trick shortly after the restart, reacting quickest after Moses Simon’s curling free-kick cannoned off the crossbar.
That goal marked Osimhen’s 29th strike in 44 international appearances, putting him within touching distance of Nigeria’s all-time top scorer, the late Rashidi Yekini.
Nigeria refused to slow down. Simon, making his 85th appearance, tested Dandjinou again with a sharp drive, while Alex Iwobi’s shot was blocked after another moment of magic from Osimhen.
In stoppage time, substitute Frank Onyeka put the finishing touch on an emphatic display, smashing home a cross from Simon to seal a 4–0 victory and Nigeria’s progression to the continental playoffs set for November 13–16 in Morocco.
With 15 points and a +7 goal difference, Nigeria currently sits behind Gabon and Cameroon in CAF’s new table for second-placed teams. The updated ranking follows the withdrawal of Eritrea from the qualification race.
Only group winners advance automatically to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, but Nigeria’s convincing win ensures they remain firmly in contention.
The playoff winner in Morocco will advance to the six-team intercontinental playoff scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico, where two teams will earn a ticket to the World Cup.
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