Victor Osimhen produced a vintage performance to fire Nigeria into the CAF World Cup playoffs, scoring a first-half brace and completing a second-half hat-trick as the Super Eagles demolished Benin Republic 4–0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. Frank Onyeka added a late fourth to seal an emphatic victory and confirm Nigeria’s place in the playoff tournament in Morocco.
The game burst into life early. Osimhen opened the scoring with just 3min into the first half, finishing clinically from close range after good pass from Chukwueze into the Benin box. He then doubled Nigeria’s lead before half-time, capitalising on a clinical header from far post to give the Nigeria the breathing space and force Benin onto the back foot.
After the break, Nigeria kept up the pressure and Osimhen completed his hattrick with a powerful header from a well-worked cross, putting the result beyond doubt and sending the Uyo crowd into raptures. In stoppage time, Frank Onyeka drilled home to make it 4–0 and cap a night of total dominance for the Super Eagles.
The result lifts Nigeria into the group of top second-placed teams who qualify for the CAF playoff mini-tournament in Morocco. The winner of that tournament will go on to the intercontinental play-off for a final spot at the 2026 World Cup. While Nigeria still have one more step to clear before reaching the finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico, tonight’s performance will be remembered as a high-quality response under pressure.
Nigeria now prepare for the CAF playoff mini-tournament in Morocco. The team will regroup, recover and begin targeted training for the knockout schedule, where two wins will be needed to reach the inter-confederation playoff and a possible route to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
