Nigeria’s Super Eagles will have to take the long route to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, even after thrashing Benin Republic 4–0 in Uyo on Tuesday night, October 14, 2025. Softfootball reported that it was a proper show of dominance, powered by Victor Osimhen’s brilliant hat-trick that left the Benin defence speechless and a late strike from Frank Onyeka, but the celebration didn’t last too long.
Yeah, Nigeria did everything right on the night, controlled the game, created chances, played with hunger. But then, in faraway Mbombela , Rwanda lost 3-Nil to South Africa, and that single result flipped everything. It meant Nigeria finished second in Group C on goal difference, missing out on the direct ticket. Painful. Really painful stuff. It’s almost like déjà vu from 2005 when Rwanda also couldn’t hold Angola and Nigeria lost the spot.
Osimhen though, was in a different world. The Galatasaray striker opened the floodgates in the 3rd minute after a neat assist from Samuel Chukwueze, then doubled his tally before the break, cool and composed as always. He got his hat-trick early in the second half, rising high to nod home from Moses Simon’s cross. That’s six goals now in the qualifiers — top-class, pure striker instinct.
Substitute Frank Onyeka made it four in stoppage time, smashing home from close range to wrap it up nicely. The atmosphere in Uyo was electric, even though the news from South Africa left a bitter taste.
Speaking to the media today, as revealed by the Super Eagles official website, captain William Troost-Ekong admitted the mood in camp was mixed but stayed positive while praising the effort of everyone that got the result done. He also spoke about the next challenge, which is the playoff, promising that the team will be ready to dig deep and get the job done.
He Said:
We are quite happy to have that opportunity. It is a long route but it is a route afterall. We would have loved to get the automatic ticket but it didn’t happen and we take what we have. For us, we will remain strong and tough and ready to confront every challenge on our way as we search for the ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It was a wonderful team effort on Tuesday evening. Everyone contributed; each person played their part. If the other match had gone in favour, we would be with the automatic ticket now. But that’s life. You take what you get and run with it, and make the best of it.
Now, the focus shifts to the CAF Play-Off Tournament in Morocco. Nigeria will face Gabon in the semi-final on Thursday, November 13, while Cameroon take on DR Congo in the other clash. The winners meet on November 16, and whoever comes out on top heads to the Intercontinental Play-Offs in Mexico next March a tough, winner-takes-all mini-tournament involving teams like Bolivia, New Caledonia, and the Asia-Oceania playoff winner.
It’s not the easy path, but at least it’s a path. And if Tuesday night showed anything, it’s that when Osimhen’s firing, Nigeria can take on anyone.
