Super Eagles Crush Benin but miss out on automatic World Cup qualification

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Nigeria’s Super Eagles produced a scintillating display to demolish Benin Republic 4–0 in their final Round 10 World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday, but the emphatic victory was not enough to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Played at a packed stadium in Uyo, the Eagles dominated from start to finish, inspired by a hat-trick hero performance from Victor Osimhen, who fired Nigeria to a commanding win.

However, despite the convincing scoreline, results from other centres meant the team fell short of the top automatic qualification spot in their group, leaving them to battle through the play-offs.

Osimhen opened the scoring just three minutes into the encounter, latching onto a clever pass from Samuel Chukwueze before doubling Nigeria’s advantage in the 37th minute with another clinical finish, again assisted by Chukwueze.

The Napoli striker completed his hat-trick in the 51st minute, converting Moses Simon’s precise cross to make it 3–0, as Nigeria tightened their grip on the game. Substitute Frank Onyeka added the fourth in added time, calmly slotting home after another assist from Simon to seal an emphatic 4–0 triumph.

The victory lifted the Super Eagles to 17points, level with Benin but with superior goal difference.

Nigeria will now await confirmation of their route through the CAF play-offs, where they must overcome another tough two-legged tie to secure a place among Africa’s representatives at the global showpiece.

South Africa qualified from the group with 18 points and will now play in the 2026 World Cup