Victor Osimhen‘s hat-trick helped Nigeria thrash Benin Republic 4-0 in Uyo. The Super Eagles missed out on an automatic World Cup spot despite the win, but their result helped them qualify for the CAF World Cup qualification playoffs.
The Galatasaray forward opened the scoring in the 3rd minute of the match. Chukwueze played Osimhen through after receiving a loose ball in midfield, and the former Napoli man calmly slotted the ball past the Benin goalkeeper, much to the delight of the Nigerian fans in Uyo.
It was a bright start, and a statement of intention that startled a Benin side known for their resolute defending.
Nigeria needed to gain full control of the match by scoring another goal in the first half, and it was Samuel Chukwueze once again who created Nigeria’s second goal. He whipped in a cross from the right, and Osimhen headed the ball beyond the Benin goalkeeper.
The Super Eagles knew they needed more goals, even after ending the first half with a comfortable two-goal lead. Five minutes into the second half, Victor Osimhen completed his hat-trick with another thumping header from a Moses Simon free-kick.
Frank Onyeka connected brilliantly and emphatically to another Moses Simon cross, this time from the left side of the attack, and gave Nigeria their fourth goal of the night in the first minute of stoppage time.
Although Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick did not help Nigeria qualify directly, it helped the West Africans secure a spot in a four-nation World Cup qualification playoffs.
That playoff will feature Gabon, Nigeria, Cameroon, and DR Congo. If Nigeria wins that, they will still have to go through an additional inter-confederation playoffs to book their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
