Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes received a significant boost on Monday night as Victor Osimhen scored three goals in a commanding 4-0 victory over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
The Galatasaray striker’s treble, combined with a late strike from substitute Frank Onyeka, handed the Super Eagles a comprehensive win in their final Group C qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, the emphatic triumph was not enough to secure Nigeria’s place at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as group leaders South Africa sealed their qualification with a 3-0 win over Rwanda.
Coach Eric Chelle made four changes to the side that defeated Lesotho in their previous outing, with captain Wilfred Ndidi leading the team. Moses Simon earned his 85th international appearance, whilst Osimhen partnered Akor Adams in attack.
The Super Eagles started the match with intent, and Osimhen needed just three minutes to break the deadlock. Samuel Chukwueze provided the assist as the former Napoli striker fired Nigeria ahead.
Benin Republic responded by pushing for an equaliser in the 12th minute, but Calvin Bassey was on hand to snuff out the danger.
By the 14th minute, Nigeria had controlled 58 per cent of possession, with Benin holding 42 per cent. Both sides had registered one shot on target each.
Osimhen came close to adding a second in the 22nd minute when he met a cross inside the box, but a composed Beninoise defender cleared the danger.
The prolific striker would not be denied for long, however. In the 38th minute, Osimhen doubled Nigeria’s advantage with another clinical finish from a Chukwueze delivery.
The Egyptian referee added five minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half, but the score remained 2-0 at the interval.
Benin Republic started the second period on the front foot, attempting to apply pressure on the hosts.
But Osimhen put the result beyond doubt six minutes after the restart, completing his hat-trick in the 51st minute to the delight of the home crowd.
Nigeria continued to threaten, and Ndidi had an opportunity to make it four in the 68th minute, but his effort went to waste.
The Eagles were relentless in their pursuit of more goals, and their persistence paid off in the 90th minute when Onyeka, who had come on as a substitute, fired past the Benin goalkeeper to complete the rout.
The victory marked a strong finish to Nigeria’s qualifying campaign, though it ultimately fell short of securing automatic qualification for the World Cup finals.
Nigeria’s starting XI: Stanley Nwabali (GK); Benjamin Fredrick, Zaidu Sanusi, Wilfred Ndidi (C), Semi Ajayi, Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi, Akor Adams, Calvin Bassey.
Substitutes: Adebayo, Ekong, Arokodare, Onyeka, Onyemaechi, Abdullahi, Obasogie, Uche, Moffi, Olusegun.
