VICTOR Osimhen scored a hat-trick today in Uyo as the Super Eagles defeated Benin Republic 4-0 to stay in contention for a 2026 FIFA World Cup spot.
With the victory, the Super Eagles finished second in African qualifying Group C with 17 points and a goal difference of plus seven, one point behind South Africa, who also beat Rwanda 3-0 in Nelspruit and secured the group’s only automatic World Cup ticket.
The Super Eagles have earned one of the four play-off spots reserved for the top runners-up in the 10 groups, with the group phase ending tonight.
Osimhen got the Super Eagles on their way early, scoring in the third minute after a perfectly-weighted through ball by the impressive Samuel Chukwueze.
The same two players combined again for the second goal, Chukwueze crossing the ball for Osimhen to head home.
Chukwueze, who along with Osimhen was the best player on the pitch in the first half, was taken off at half-time, possibly due to a knock.
Osimhen completed his hat-trick seven minutes into the second half, stooping low to score with a brave header off Moses Simon’s delivery.
Galatasaray striker Osimhen was substituted off nine minutes from time, replaced by Tolu Arokodare, but the scoring did not end.
Substitute Frank Onyeka made the score even more comfortable for the Super Eagles in the first minute of added time, hammering him from just inside the penalty box after some brilliant set-up play by Simon.
The Super Eagles will battle it out with Cameroon, Gabon, Burkina Faso or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African play-offs in Morocco in November.
The best team from the play-offs will proceed to the intercontinental play-offs next year.