Nigeria Thrash Benin 4-0 to Reach 2026 World Cup Playoffs
Victor Osimhen's hat-trick leads Nigeria to a 4-0 victory over Benin, sending the Super Eagles to the World Cup playoffs.
Benin Republic's attempts to mount a comeback after halftime were swiftly quashed...
Nigeria delivered an outstanding performance, thrashing Benin Republic 4-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, to secure a coveted spot in the inter-confederation playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Victor Osimhen was the star of the show, scoring a brilliant hat-trick, while Frank Onyeka added a late strike to seal a memorable win for the Super Eagles. The victory marked a resounding end to Nigeria's Group C campaign, with the team finishing second in the group, just one point shy of South Africa, who booked their direct qualification with a 3-0 win over Rwanda.
The stage was set for a high-stakes showdown as both teams faced immense pressure. The Cheetahs needed a convincing win to qualify for their first-ever World Cup, while the three-time African champions required a victory and favorable results elsewhere to secure automatic qualification or a coveted runner-up spot.
Nigeria asserted their dominance from the opening whistle, and their attacking tempo paid off early. Samuel Chukwueze set up Victor Osimhen for the opening goal in the third minute, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.
Osimhen doubled Nigeria's lead in the 37th minute with a towering header from another precise delivery by Chukwueze, leaving the Benin defense reeling. The Galatasaray striker's clinical finish showcased his skill and composure in front of goal.
Benin Republic's attempts to mount a comeback after halftime were swiftly quashed. Just six minutes into the second half, Victor Osimhen completed his hat-trick, meeting Moses Simon's curling free-kick that ricocheted off the bar before crossing the line.
As the visitors pushed forward in search of a consolation goal, Eric Chelle's men capitalized once again in stoppage time. Substitute Frank Onyeka finished off a low cross from Simon to make it 4-0 and seal a memorable night for the Super Eagles in Uyo.
Nigeria's 4-0 win over Benin Republic has boosted their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. With 17 points, they're just three points behind group winners South Africa, who secured direct qualification with a 3-0 win over Rwanda.
The Super Eagles' progress is now contingent on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirming the final four best runners-up advancing to the inter-confederation playoffs. Nigeria, along with Gabon, Cameroon, and Burkina Faso, awaits official confirmation to determine their fate.
The CAF playoff will feature four teams competing for a spot in the intercontinental playoff. The semi-finals and final will take place in Morocco, with the exact fixtures determined by the FIFA World Rankings set to be released on October 23, 2025.
The top-ranked team will face the fourth-ranked team, while the second-ranked team will meet the third-ranked team in the semi-finals. This format will determine which African team will proceed to the intercontinental playoff against teams from other confederations.
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