3 weeks ago
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In a thrilling brushwood astatine the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium successful Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, connected Tuesday evening, Victor Osimhen showcased his bonzer endowment by scoring a hat-trick, starring Nigeria to a commanding 4-0 triumph against Benin Republic successful their last Group C World Cup qualifying match.
Despite the emphatic win, Nigeria’s hopes of securing an automatic spot successful the upcoming 2026 World Cup were yet dashed erstwhile South Africa triumphed implicit Rwanda with a decisive 3-0 triumph astatine home.
The lucifer began with an electrical ambiance arsenic fans rallied down the Super Eagles, anxious for a beardown performance. Nigeria wasted nary clip successful asserting their dominance, with Osimhen uncovering the nett conscionable 3 minutes into the game, giving the hosts an aboriginal lead. The Galatasaray striker displayed his poaching instincts, capitalising connected a antiaircraft mistake to slot the shot past Benin’s goalkeeper.
As the archetypal fractional progressed, Nigeria continued to use pressure, with Osimhen doubling the people successful the 37th minute. He expertly converted a well-placed cross, demonstrating his aerial prowess and objective finishing. Shortly earlier half-time, Benin’s Steve Mounie managed to endanger Nigeria’s goal, but the Super Eagles held steadfast to support their two-goal vantage astatine the break.
The 2nd fractional saw Nigeria travel retired with renewed intensity. Just a infinitesimal aft the restart, Osimhen completed his hat-trick, scoring his 3rd extremity of the lucifer successful the 51st minute, taking vantage of a antiaircraft lapse. The assemblage erupted arsenic helium celebrated with his teammates, solidifying his presumption arsenic the match’s standout player.
Despite Nigeria’s commanding lead, the squad did not relent, with further opportunities created to widen their advantage. In the 90th minute, Frank Onyeka sealed the triumph with a 4th goal, ensuring the Super Eagles finished the lucifer with an awesome scoreline.
The triumph brought excitement among Nigerian fans, but the temper rapidly shifted arsenic quality filtered done that South Africa had secured their spot successful the World Cup. The Super Eagles, contempt their beardown performance, finished 2nd successful the group, leaving them to bespeak connected what might have been.
English (US) ·