UYO, NIGERIA — The Super Eagles of Nigeria reignited their 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes with a breathtaking 4-0 demolition of the Benin Republic on Tuesday night. The electrifying performance at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo sealed Nigeria’s place in the CAF playoff round, keeping their World Cup dream very much alive.
The night belonged to Victor Osimhen, who delivered a masterclass in finishing, netting a stunning hat-trick that sent fans into wild celebration across the nation.
Match Summary and Key Moments
From the opening whistle, Nigeria dominated possession and pressed relentlessly, displaying the hunger that had been missing earlier in the qualifiers. Their early aggression paid off within minutes.
TImeline
TIitle Nigeria vs Benin: Match Timeline3‘ : Victor Osimhen opens the scoring after a clever assist from Samuel Chukwueze.
37‘ : Osimhen doubles Nigeria’s lead with a towering header.
51‘ : Osimhen completes his hat-trick, assisted by Moses Simon.
90‘ : Frank Onyeka volleys in a late fourth goal to cap a dominant display
The Osimhen Show
It was vintage Victor Osimhen pace, power, and precision. The Galatasaray striker led from the front, breaking down Benin’s backline almost single-handedly.
- 3rd minute: A sharp through ball from Chukwueze found Osimhen, who calmly slotted home to make it 1–0.
- 37th minute: A perfectly timed cross saw Osimhen rise highest to nod in his second.
- 51st minute: The hat-trick was complete — a poacher’s finish from close range after Simon’s low delivery.
The stadium erupted, chants of “OSIMHEN! OSIMHEN!” echoing through the Uyo night.
Tactical setup and team news
Coach Eric Chelle made bold calls for this must-win encounter, including benching captain William Troost-Ekong and handing the armband to Wilfred Ndidi. Nigeria lined up in a dynamic 4-2-2-2 formation:
- Goalkeeper: Stanley Nwabali
- Defenders: Benjamin Fredrick, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi
- Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (C), Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon
- Forwards: Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams
The tactical switch gave Nigeria width and attacking fluidity, overwhelming Benin’s defensive setup.
The road to the playoffs
This was more than just a win. It was a statement. Nigeria not only grabbed three crucial points but also improved their goal difference, a decisive factor in qualifying as one of the best second-placed teams.
Substitute Frank Onyeka’s 90th-minute volley from a Moses Simon cross sealed the emphatic 4–0 scoreline, confirming Nigeria’s progression to the playoff stage.
What comes next
With this result, Nigeria finishes second in Group C, behind South Africa, who clinched automatic qualification with a 3–0 victory over Rwanda.
The Super Eagles now move into the CAF playoff round, a knockout mini-tournament that will decide who advances to the inter-confederation playoffs, the final hurdle to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
This is a developing story. More updates will follow as Nigeria prepares for the CAF playoff draw.
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