Nigeria’s Super Eagles sealed their place in the African play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a commanding 4–0 victory over Benin Republic in Uyo.
A superb hat-trick from Victor Osimhen and a late strike from Frank Onyeka ensured the three-time African champions finished among the best second-placed teams in the qualifiers.
The result lifted Nigeria to 15 points with a +7 goal difference, enough to secure one of four play-off slots following Eritrea’s withdrawal from the qualifiers.
Osimhen opened the scoring just three minutes in, finishing off a clever pass from Samuel Chukwueze. The pair combined again late in the first half, with the Galatasaray striker heading home to double Nigeria’s lead.
Victor Osimehn and Samuel Chukwueze. Photo Credit: X
The 26-year-old completed his treble after the restart, guiding in a deft header from Moses Simon’s free-kick to send the home crowd at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium into wild celebration.
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Substitute Onyeka then added the fourth in stoppage time, capping a five-star display that sees Nigeria move a step closer to returning to the World Cup stage after missing out in 2022.
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Nigeria now await the play-off draw, where the will compete for Africa’s final one slots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
