Nigeria’s Super Eagles have reignited their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a commanding 4–0 victory over Benin Republic in a crucial CAF qualifier on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
The match, held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, saw Victor Osimhen deliver a sensational performance, scoring a hat-trick to lead Nigeria to a resounding win.
The opening goal came in the 3rd minute, with Osimhen converting a sharp pass from Samuel Chukwueze. He added two more goals in the 37th and 51st minutes, completing his hat-trick with a powerful header. Wilfred Ndidi sealed the victory with a fourth goal in stoppage time, ensuring Nigeria’s place in the qualification play-offs.
This emphatic win has propelled Nigeria into the play-off round of the African qualifiers, a crucial step toward securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While South Africa secured automatic qualification with a 3–0 victory over Rwanda earlier in the day, Nigeria’s performance has kept their World Cup dreams alive.
The Super Eagles’ next challenge will be to maintain their momentum in the play-offs, with the hope of clinching one of the remaining spots for African teams in the global tournament.
Fans across Nigeria are celebrating the team’s resilience and determination, looking forward to the upcoming play-off matches with renewed optimism.
