Nigeria beat Benin 4-0 to reach CAF playoffs for 2026 World Cup

Nigeria defeated Benin 4-0 on Tuesday night at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, keeping the Super Eagles alive in the race for the 2026 World Cup by securing a spot in the African playoff round. Victor Osimhen scored a first-half brace and completed a hattrick early in the second half, while Frank Onyeka added a stoppage-time fourth to seal the emphatic victory. Despite the margin, Nigeria finished second in Group C after South Africa beat Rwanda 3-0 and will now enter the CAF playoffs for a chance to advance to the interconfederation playoffs.

Osimhen struck within three minutes, converting a swift move finished by Samuel Chukwueze, who started in place of the suspended Ademola Lookman. The Galatasaray forward doubled the lead with a header from another Chukwueze delivery before heading home from a Moses Simon free kick in the 51st minute to complete his treble. Onyeka’s late volley ensured the margin and proved decisive in Nigeria’s final runners-up ranking.

The result left Benin, who had led Group C going into the final round, to rue a missed opportunity for a first ever World Cup appearance. Benin coach Gernot Rohr, a former Nigeria manager, acknowledged...