The Super Eagles of Nigeria booked their place in the African playoffs for the 2026 World Cup after a commanding 4–0 victory over the Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday evening, The PUNCH reports.
Victor Osimhen was the star of the night, netting a superb hat-trick, while substitute Frank Onyeka added the final goal to seal a result that confirmed Nigeria’s passage into the next phase of the qualifiers.
It was the kind of dominant performance that had long been demanded from the Super Eagles, and it came when it mattered most.
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From the opening whistle, Nigeria played with intensity, purpose, and aggression, leaving the visitors chasing shadows for much of the contest.
Their early intent was rewarded instantly when Osimhen gave Nigeria the lead just three minutes into the match. Samuel Chukwueze, operating sharply from the right flank, slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the path of the Galatasaray striker, who made no mistake from close range, firing a composed low finish beyond the Beninese goalkeeper to send the home fans into early celebration.
Chukwueze, who had been lively in the opening stages, continued to trouble the visitors with his pace and trickery. His understanding with Osimhen proved decisive again late in the first half as Nigeria doubled their lead. In the 37th minute, Chukwueze found space on the right to deliver a teasing cross into the box, which Osimhen met with a powerful header that beat the goalkeeper and found the centre of the net.
The goal sparked wild celebrations among the fans in Uyo and further underlined the growing confidence within the team.
Nigeria went into the break two goals up, and although Benin tried to reorganise during the interval, their efforts to mount a comeback were swiftly snuffed out by the relentless Nigerian attack.
Barely six minutes into the second half, Osimhen completed his hat-trick in emphatic fashion. A well-delivered free-kick from Moses Simon found the striker unmarked inside the box, and he rose highest to send a looping header into the top corner for his third of the night and Nigeria’s third of the game.
It was a display of instinctive finishing and commanding presence in the box—hallmarks of Osimhen’s reputation as one of the world’s finest forwards.
Benin’s frustration grew as the match wore on, and a series of rash challenges earned them multiple yellow cards. Their physical approach did little to unsettle the Nigerians, who controlled possession comfortably and dictated the tempo. Semi Ajayi picked up a caution for Nigeria after a strong challenge, but the home side remained largely disciplined and efficient in both phases of play.
Coach Eric Chelle made several substitutions in the second half to inject fresh energy, introducing Olakunle Olusegun for Chukwueze, Bruno Onyemaechi for Zaidu Sanusi, and Frank Onyeka for Akor Adams.
The changes maintained Nigeria’s momentum and eventually paid off in stoppage time. As the fourth official indicated five minutes of added time, Nigeria pushed forward once more. In the first minute of injury time, Onyeka latched onto a clever pass from Moses Simon before rifling a powerful shot into the top centre of the goal to make it 4–0 and cap off a near-perfect night for the Super Eagles.
Benin rarely threatened Nigeria’s defence, and when they did, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali remained largely untroubled, organising his backline with composure. The visitors’ few forays forward were effectively broken up by the defensive pairing of Calvin Bassey and Ajayi, while the full-backs supported attacks with overlapping runs.
The result confirmed Nigeria as one of the best four second-placed teams to advance to the playoffs, with 15 points and a +7 goal difference. Eritrea’s earlier withdrawal from the qualifiers meant that results against sixth-placed teams were excluded from the playoffs calculations, which placed the Super Eagles in a comfortable position as they only accrued two points against Zimbabwe.
The dominant display against Benin not only ensured progression but also restored confidence in a side that had faced criticism for inconsistent performances throughout the qualifying campaign.
Jubilant Nigerian supporters applauded the team’s resurgence as the final whistle blew, with Osimhen’s name echoing around the stadium. His performance takes him to 29 goals for the country, eight behind Rashidi Yekini on the all-time list.
The victory was also the first time the country will score four or more goals in a match for the first time since September 2023.
For Chelle, it was a statement result, a night where his tactical adjustments, attacking selections, and player management came together seamlessly. The win was not just a step forward in their qualification journey but also a reminder of their quality and potential ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in December.
