Nigeria’s Super Eagles have qualified for the African playoffs of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a convincing 4–0 victory over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday.
A hat-trick from Victor Osimhen and a late strike from Frank Onyeka gave the Super Eagles the win they needed to secure one of the four spots reserved for the best second-placed teams in the CAF qualifiers. The result means Nigeria now sits third among the teams heading into the playoffs.
Because Eritrea withdrew from the qualification series, CAF rules state that results against the sixth-placed teams in each group will be removed from the final table. For Nigeria, that meant losing the two points earned against Zimbabwe, who finished last in Group C.
Despite that adjustment, Nigeria still finished with 15 points and a +7 goal difference, which was enough to edge out Burkina Faso and Niger for a playoff ticket.
During Tuesday’s game, Osimhen opened the scoring in the third minute, assisted by Samuel Chukwueze, and then doubled the lead just before half-time with a header from another Chukwueze assist. He completed his hat-trick in the second half with a header off a free-kick.
Minutes before full time, substitute Onyeka darted into the Benin penalty area to seal the win.
The Super Eagles will now compete in the African playoffs scheduled to take place in Morocco in November.
The winners of the playoffs will advance to the inter-confederation playoff, which will decide the final two qualification spots for the 2026 World Cup.
- Osimhen Fires Nigeria into 2026 World Cup African Playoffs - October 14, 2025
- FG Approves New Admission Criteria for Tertiary Institutions - October 14, 2025
- Evangelist Uma Ukpai Dies at 80 - October 13, 2025