Osimhen Hat-trick Sends Nigeria into World Cup Playoffs

Victor Osimhen scored a brilliant hat-trick as Nigeria thrashed Benin Republic 4–0 in Uyo on Tuesday to keep their 2026 FIFA World Cup dream alive through the playoffs.

Despite the big win, the Super Eagles narrowly missed out on automatic qualification after South Africa claimed top spot in Group C with a 3–0 victory over Rwanda in Johannesburg.

Osimhen was unstoppable at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, showing once again why he is one of Africa’s best strikers. The Galatasaray forward scored twice in the first half and completed his hat-trick soon after the break. Substitute Frank Onyeka added a late fourth goal to seal an impressive team performance.

Nigeria went into the match needing a win and hoping for a slip-up from South Africa. While they did their part in Uyo with one of their best displays of the campaign, the result in Johannesburg meant they finished second in Group C, just one point short of qualification.

It was a reminder of Nigeria’s mixed qualifying campaign — moments of brilliance overshadowed by earlier draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.