- Safiu Kehinde
The Super Eagles of Nigeria has advanced to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification Play-Offs with emphatic 4-0 victory against Benin Republic.
Victor Osimehn’s hat-trick and Francis Onyeka’s screamer saw Nigeria finished among the top four second-placed country in the qualifiers to revive the national team’s hope of securing the World Cup ticket.
Having endured a frustrating campaign which saw them gathered 14 out of possible 30 points, the Super Eagles faced off with the Gernat Rohr-led Beninoise at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Tuesday.
The Nigerian senior team needed an emphatic win against the visitors to revive their chance of qualification.
With South Africa also facing Rwanda in a must-win game to retain the top spot on the table and secure automatic ticket, Nigeria’s chances appeared slim.
However, Osimehn opened the score sheet barely three minutes into the game.
The Galatasaray forward would again find the back of the net before halftime whistle to give the home fans hope of claiming the second spot.
Meanwhile, the other match also saw South Africa leading by 2-0 with the automatic ticket already within their reach.
Osimehn’s brilliance again paid off as he headed home a well-taken set piece from Moses Simon to earn a hat-trick and put Nigeria on 3-0 lead.
The striker unfortunately limped off the pitch towards the end of the game with Nigeria one goal shot of earning a play-off slot.
They finally found the breakthrough towards the end of the game with Moses Simon’s brilliant pace.
The Paris FC winger beat Benin defenders on the left flank and squared in the ball to the waiting second-half substitute, Frank Onyeka.
Onyeka volleyed the ball into the net to cement Super Eagles’s place in the top four second-placed country.
More details later…