Nigeria’s hope of securing an automatic ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup was dashed despite a stunning 4–0 victory over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on Tuesday.
Victor Osimhen stole the show with a remarkable hat-trick, while Frank Onyeka added a fourth goal to give the Super Eagles a dominant win in their final group match.
However, the result was not enough to clinch the top spot, as South Africa also defeated Rwanda 3–0 to stay ahead in the standings.
The win took Nigeria’s points tally to 17, just one behind South Africa’s 18, leaving the Super Eagles in second place and now hoping to qualify through the play-off route.
With the impressive display, Nigeria remain one of the strongest contenders for a play-off slot, giving fans hope that the three-time African champions could still secure a place at the World Cup.
Reacting after the match, Osimhen expressed confidence in the team’s ability to scale through the next phase. “We gave everything on the pitch today. It’s painful we didn’t make it directly, but we will fight again in the play-offs,” he said.
Nigeria’s coach praised the players for their fighting spirit and promised to keep pushing for qualification. “This team has shown great character. We’ll take the positives from this victory and prepare well for the next challenge,” he stated.
Despite the disappointment, the Super Eagles’ emphatic win in Cotonou rekindled hope among supporters, as the nation looks forward to the decisive play-off round that will determine their fate at the 2026 World Cup.
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