3 weeks ago
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Nigeria is done to the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs aft a 4–0 triumph implicit Benin Republic successful Uyo connected Tuesday night.
The Super Eagles delivered a coagulated show astatine the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, led by Victor Osimhen, who scored a hat-trick, and Frank Onyeka, whose precocious extremity sealed the result.
Osimhen opened the scoring successful the 3rd infinitesimal aft connecting with a walk from Samuel Chukwueze to nonstop Nigeria successful front. The striker doubled the pb earlier half-time, heading location different transportation from Chukwueze to enactment the hosts firmly successful control.
Benin attempted to respond but were kept astatine bay by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who made respective cardinal saves. Defenders Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi–Samuel besides maintained composure astatine the backmost arsenic Nigeria held their advantage.
Early successful the 2nd half, Osimhen completed his hat-trick aft reacting rapidly erstwhile Moses Simon’s free-kick came disconnected the crossbar. The extremity marked his 29th for Nigeria successful 44 appearances, moving him person to Rashidi Yekini’s all-time record.
Substitute Frank Onyeka added a 4th extremity successful the 90th minute, finishing disconnected different transverse from Simon to adjacent retired the match.
The triumph places Nigeria 2nd successful Group C with 15 points and a +7 extremity difference, capable to suffice arsenic 1 of the 4 champion second-placed teams crossed the 9 groups. The Super Eagles volition present vie successful the CAF Four-Team Playoff Tournament successful Morocco from 13th to 16th November.
Benin, who started the time arsenic radical leaders, missed retired connected qualification for their first-ever World Cup appearance. Nigeria, meanwhile, advances to the adjacent signifier of the qualifying run and remains successful contention for a spot astatine the 2026 World Cup successful the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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