Nigeria vs Benin: Super Eagles fly to World Cup playoffs under Osimhen’s power

In the end, it was a night of both brilliance and heartbreak for the Super Eagles.

Victor Osimhen struck three times as Nigeria brushed aside Benin Republic 4-0, but it was not enough to earn the Super Eagles an automatic place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. South Africa’s 3-0 victory over Lesotho sealed top spot in Group C with 18 points, one ahead of Nigeria, who finished level on 17 points with Benin but ahead on goal difference.

It was the sort of performance that came too late in the day, full of the urgency and incision that had so often been missing earlier in the campaign. Osimhen was ruthless, scoring twice in the first half before completing his hat-trick after the break, while Frank Onyeka added a late volley to cap a commanding display. The atmosphere at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium was one of catharsis, though tinged with regret.

The three-time African champions had dropped too many points in winnable games, five draws in ten matches telling their own story and those lapses have proved decisive. Nigeria must now settle for the longer route, navigating the tension of the playoff round to reach the World Cup.

Super Eagles to go through World Cup playoff route?

The Super Eagles’ uncertain hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup may actually have been quietly revived. Eritrea’s withdrawal from the African qualifiers has altered the balance of the competition and, with it, the mathematics that determine which teams advance to the next stage.

By pulling out before the start of the campaign, Eritrea left Group E with only five teams instead of six. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to repeat a familiar rule from the 2012 qualifiers, where results against the bottom sides in six-team groups were not counted when ranking the best runners-up.

When that standard is applied again, the West African giants’ position has improved. They now occupy third spot with 15 points and a +7 goal difference, one better than Burkina Faso, who also have the same number of points.