By Ghazali Ibrahim
In a thrilling display of dominance, Nigeria’s Super Eagles dismantled Benin Republic 4‑0 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match held today in Uyo.
Victor Osimhen stole the show with a spectacular hat‑trick, while Frank Onyeka sealed the emphatic victory with a stoppage‑time strike.
The win lifts Nigeria’s hopes of advancing from Group C, injecting fresh momentum into a campaign that had seen ups and downs.
Before tonight, the Eagles had struggled for consistency, but Osimhen’s ruthless finishing reminded fans and rivals alike of his lethal prowess in front of goal.
The match began with Nigeria taking an early lead, and by halftime, Osimhen had already notched two goals to put his team in a commanding position.
In the second half, the Eagles maintained full control, stifling any attempt from Benin to respond. The final flourish arrived when Onyeka, coming off the bench, added the fourth goal in stoppage time to cap the memorable night.
Reactions from social media and sports commentators were immediate and effusive, with many hailing Osimhen’s performance as one for the ages.
The striker’s consistency at both club and country levels continues to elevate his status among Africa’s elite forwards.
For Benin, it was a sobering loss that they were unable to match Nigeria’s physicality or tempo despite their coach comment about winning the Super super Eagles in Uyo. Their defense looked vulnerable throughout the match, and their midfield was largely overrun by the Eagles’ attackers.
With world Cup qualifying matches ending today and Nigeria’s result being decisive, the path forward remains hanging on a thread. The CAF qualification format which allows the best four runners-up to shoot a shot at continental playoff will see Nigeria,Cameroon, Gabon, Burkina Faso or DR Congo playing in Morocco on Nov 13 as semi final while final will hold on Nov 16. The winner of that playoff will advance to the intercontinental playoff in March 2026 which will include six teams from different continent competing for two remaining world Cup spots.
Though the competition will be fierce and competitive, Nigeria’s hope to qualify for the World Cup is still on if luck shines on their side.
