Osimhen nets hat-trick as Super Eagles thrash Benin to advance to W/Cup playoffs

Victor Osimhen was in electrifying form on Tuesday, firing a hat-trick as the Super Eagles of Nigeria sealed their place in the FIFA World Cup playoffs with a dominant win over Benin Republic.

Osimhen spearheaded Nigeria’s attack with his trademark pace, power, and clinical finishing, tearing through the Beninese defence to secure all three points for the Eagles.

The victory marks a crucial step in Nigeria’s quest for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the team displaying renewed energy and tactical discipline under coach Eric Chelle.

South Africa claimed top spot in Group C of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) section of World Cup qualification.

Bafana Bafana, who began the day in third place after being punished for fielding an ineligible player in the suspended Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho, punched their ticket for next summer’s showpiece with a 3-0 win over Rwanda.

Ghana become fifth African country to qualify for 2026 World Cup

Goals from Evidence Makgopa, Oswin Appollis, and Thalente Mbatha ensured Hugo Broos’ side did their job in the hope of making a first World Cup finals appearance since 2010 – when they hosted the tournament.

That result coupled with Benin losing 3-0 to Nigeria means South Africa automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup as group winners.

As for the Super Eagles, they confirmed a place as one of the four best runners-up after producing arguably their best performance in qualification.

Osimhen was the hero as he netted a superb hat-trick as Nigeria beat Benin by the required number of goals to leapfrog their neighbours in the table.

The next task was to claim victory by a four-goal margin to guarantee a play-off place.

Nigeria looked to be falling short by one but a brilliant strike from Frank Onyeka in second half injury time sparked wild scenes inside the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State.

However, with Rwanda offering no favours, the Super Eagles had to settle for the runners-up and to reflect on a campaign which began in the worst possible fashion.

The Star