Osimhen hits hat-trick as Nigeria crush Benin 4–0 but miss automatic World Cup spot

Victor Osimhen fired a brilliant hat-trick as Nigeria crushed Benin Republic 4–0 in Uyo on Tuesday, keeping their 2026 FIFA World Cup dreams alive through the playoff route.

Despite the convincing victory, the Super Eagles fell just short of automatic qualification after South Africa claimed the top spot in Group C with a 3–0 win over Rwanda in Johannesburg.

Osimhen’s sharp finishing lit up the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, underlining his reputation as Africa’s most dangerous striker. The Galatasaray forward netted twice in the first half and completed his hat-trick soon after the break, before substitute Frank Onyeka added a late fourth to seal a commanding display.

Nigeria went into the match needing both a win and help from elsewhere. While they produced one of their finest performances of the campaign in Uyo, South Africa’s victory left the Super Eagles second in Group C — just a point shy of direct qualification.

The result reflects Nigeria’s inconsistent qualifying journey, marked by moments of brilliance but marred by earlier dropped points against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

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