Striker Victor Osimhen scored a hat-trick as the Super Eagles of Nigeria beat Benin Republic 4-0 to book a place in the playoffs of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, www.aclsports.com reports.
In what was the side’s biggest test yet, Gala striker Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick and substitute Franck Onyeka’s late goal helped the Super Eagles beat Gernot Rohr’s Benin comprehensively at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday.
With a slim shot at automatic qualification and a place in the playoffs, Eric Chelle made changes to the side that started the game against Lesotho in Polokwane last Friday. Akor Adams, who scored Nigeria’s second goal in Polokwane, was handed a start, alongside Samuel Chukwueze, while Semi Ajayi and Zaidu Sanusi replaced skipper William Troost-Ekong and Bruno Onyemaechi, respectively.
Super Eagles made a bright start to the crunchy encounter when Samuel Chukwueze’s throughball was coolly converted by striker Victor Osimhen in the third minute. It was the best start for Eric Chelle’s side, who were third going into the final round of matches.
Meanwhile, almost the same time the Eagles went in front, South Africa – second behind Benin Republic before match day 10 – took the lead against Rwanda through a strike from Thalente Mbatha.
Back in Uyo, Nigeria continued to threaten everytime Chukwueze gets on the ball with the visitors enjoying more of the ball possession. Goalkeeper Nwabali made a couple of routine saves before the half-hour mark. At the other end, Adams saw his effort blocked, while Osimhen headed over.
In the final ten minutes of the half, Nigeria went on the attack again. Fredrick’s quick throw-in was controlled by Chukwueze before the Fulham winger put in a sumptuous cross for Osimhen to head home in the 37th minute. Two goals to the good for the Eagles, but South Africa were also leading 2-0 at the break in Mbombela after Oswin Appollis doubled the South Africans’ lead in the 26th minute.
Before the restart of proceedings, Chukwueze went off injured and was replaced by Olusegun Olakunle. It did not take long before the Eagles increased their lead as Osimhen headed home a set-piece delivery from Moses Simon to complete his hat-trick in the 51st minute. The game was good as over after Nigeria’s third goal.
With time running out, substitute Frank Onyeka, who replaced Akor Adams in the 73rd minute, scored Nigeria’s fourth in injury time to seal the Super Eagles’ spot in the playoffs.
Nigeria went on to secure their biggest win of the qualifiers, but they missed out on automatic qualification to South Africa who defeated Rwanda 3-0 in Mbombela. The Super Eagles will now compete in next month’s playoffs for a place in the World Cup in the Americas.
