Jubilant scenes erupted across Nigeria on Tuesday as the Super Eagles delivered an emphatic 4–0 victory over the Benin Republic in their final Group C World Cup qualifying match, with star striker Victor Osimhen netting a sensational hat-trick.
The match, played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, saw Nigeria dominate from start to finish, rekindling national pride after a string of inconsistent performances earlier in the qualifying series.
Former Napoli forward Victor Osimhen opened the scoring just three minutes into the game, calmly finishing from a Samuel Chukwueze assist to send the home fans into early celebration. He doubled the lead in the 37th minute with a well-placed header, and completed his hat-trick soon after halftime, connecting beautifully with a cross from Moses Simon.
Midfielder Frank Onyeka added a late fourth goal in stoppage time, sealing a dominant display for Nigeria and igniting wild celebrations in the stands.
From Lagos to Abuja and Port Harcourt, Nigerians poured onto the streets and social media to celebrate the Super Eagles’ revival. Hashtags like #SuperEagles and #OsimhenHatTrick trended online as fans praised the team’s renewed fighting spirit.
“This is the Nigeria we love — full of energy, confidence, and passion,” said Lagos-based supporter Emeka Nwosu. “Osimhen reminded everyone why he’s one of Africa’s best.”
Despite the convincing win, Nigeria narrowly missed out on an automatic qualification spot as South Africa secured top place in Group C with an 18-point tally following their 3–0 victory over Rwanda. Nigeria finished second on 17 points, edging Benin on goal difference, and will now proceed to the CAF playoff stage in November for a chance to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
As celebrations continued late into the night, football enthusiasts expressed renewed faith in the national team’s prospects. Many described the result as a “statement performance” that could mark a turning point for Nigerian football ahead of the decisive playoff fixtures.
