Super Eagles hammer Benin 4–0 to book playoff ticket

By Tosin Omojola –

Nigeria did all they had to do on Tuesday night at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, to keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup alive.

Needing a comprehensive win over Benin Republic to at least finish second in Group C, while hoping for favourable results from other fixtures, the Super Eagles rose to the occasion with an emphatic 4–0 victory over the Beninoise.

Victor Osimhen emerged as the hero of the night, netting a hat-trick to keep Nigeria’s qualification hopes alive.

The Galatasaray of Turkey forward opened the scoring in the third minute, added a second in the 37th minute, and completed his hat-trick in the 51st minute.

Substitute Frank Onyeka ensured Nigeria would finish as one of the best second-placed teams with a stoppage-time goal, silencing Benin Republic, who had entered the match as group leaders.

While Nigeria will now have to fight through the playoffs in Morocco for a place at the Mundial, South Africa confirmed their automatic qualification with a 3–0 win over Rwanda.

The South Africans finished top of Group C with 18 points, just one point ahead of both Nigeria and Benin Republic.