Joel Ajayi
Nigeria’s Super Eagles ended their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in style with a commanding 4–0 victory over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on Tuesday. However, the result was not enough to guarantee an automatic place at the tournament.
Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen stole the spotlight with a sensational hat-trick — scoring twice in the first half and once after the break — to give Nigeria total control of the game. Frank Onyeka of Brentford added a late fourth to complete the rout and underline Nigeria’s dominance.
Despite the emphatic win, the Super Eagles fell short as South Africa claimed Group C’s top spot with a 3–0 triumph over Rwanda in Johannesburg, sealing the automatic qualification ticket.
With their fate now resting on the next stage, Nigeria will shift focus to the playoff round, where they must battle to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and reignite hope for millions of fans.
