In a commanding display at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Nigeria’s Super Eagles dismantled Benin Republic with a resounding 4-0 victory in their penultimate 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Victor Osimhen’s scintillating hat-trick propelled the hosts to a vital win, keeping their hopes alive for a playoff berth in the expanded tournament set to be hosted across North America.
The match, played under floodlights on a balmy Tuesday evening, saw Nigeria dominate from the outset. Osimhen, the Napoli forward and reigning African Footballer of the Year, opened the scoring in the third minute with a clinical header from a pinpoint cross by Samuel Chukwueze. The early goal set the tone for a one-sided affair, as Benin struggled to contain Nigeria’s relentless pressing and fluid attacking movements.
By the 20th minute, Osimhen had doubled the lead, capitalising on a defensive error from the Cheetahs to slot home his second. The first half ended 2-0, with Nigeria’s midfield duo of Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi orchestrating play and stifling any Beninese counter-attacks. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was rarely tested, thanks to a solid backline marshalled by captain William Troost-Ekong.
The second half began much like the first, with Osimhen completing his hat-trick in the 51st minute. Assisted by Moses Simon’s deft through-ball, the 26-year-old striker fired a low shot past Benin’s custodian, Marcel Dandjinou, to make it 3-0. The crowd erupted in jubilation, chanting Osimhen’s name as he celebrated with his trademark mask gesture.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Frank Onyeka added a fourth with a thunderous strike from outside the box, sealing a comprehensive rout. Benin, coached by former Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr, offered little resistance throughout, managing only a handful of half-chances that were comfortably dealt with by Nwabali.
This result leaves Nigeria on 17 points in Group C, one behind leaders South Africa, who secured a 3-0 win over Rwanda in a parallel fixture. With the group stage concluding next month, the Super Eagles now sit second and are poised to advance as one of the top four runners-up in the CAF qualifiers, earning a spot in the playoff round. A victory there could secure direct qualification, while the runner-up would enter an intercontinental playoff.
Benin, meanwhile, remain on 10 points and are eliminated from contention.
