Nigeria reignited their World Cup qualification campaign on Tuesday night with a dominant 4-0 victory over Benin Republic, a result that significantly boosted their chances of securing a CAF playoff spot for the 2026 World Cup.
The Super Eagles, who have struggled for consistency throughout the qualifiers, produced their most complete performance of the campaign in Uyo, led by a sensational hat-trick from Victor Osimhen and a stoppage-time finish from Frank Onyeka.
The victory arrived amid a major change in CAF’s qualification format, which stipulates that points accrued from matches against bottom-placed teams will be deducted from all second-place teams due to Eritrea’s withdrawal. The rule, designed to level the competition, makes goal difference and consistency against stronger opponents even more critical and Nigeria’s emphatic win could prove decisive under the recalculated standings.
The Super Eagles wasted no time asserting dominance, with Osimhen firing home in the third minute after a perfectly weighted pass from Samuel Chukwueze. The striker doubled the lead in the 37th minute, leaping high to nod home another Chukwueze cross in classic fashion.
At halftime, Nigeria were well on course but needed more goals to improve their goal difference in the second-place rankings. Osimhen completed his hat-trick in the 51st minute after connecting with a precise cross from Moses Simon, sending the crowd into raptures.
Benin’s defence continued to unravel under relentless pressure, and in the final minute, Onyeka volleyed home Simon’s delivery to seal a commanding 4-0 victory. The result pushed Nigeria’s adjusted points tally higher in the best-runner-up table a vital boost in their pursuit of one of the four playoff spots available across the nine groups.
With South Africa’s 3-0 win over Rwanda confirming their direct qualification as group leaders, Nigeria now sit on the edge of the playoff zone, depending on how other second-placed teams fare once points against bottom sides are deducted.
For now, the Super Eagles have given their fans hope and put themselves back in the World Cup conversation.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
About the Author
