OSIMHEN HAT TRICK KEEPS NIGERIA’S WORLD CUP DREAM ALIVE AS SOUTH AFRICA QUALIFY

By: Gyang Dakwo

Nigeria’s Super Eagles produced a commanding 4–0 victory over Benin Republic in Uyo on Monday to keep their 2026 World Cup hopes alive, but South Africa’s 3–0 win against Rwanda in Mbombela meant the group’s top spot  and the automatic ticket slipped from Nigeria’s grasp.

Victor Osimhen opened the scoring in the third minute, then doubled the lead in the 37th and completed his treble six minutes after the restart. Frank Onyeka added a fourth goal in stoppage time to seal a convincing win for Nigeria.

The result lifted the Super Eagles to 17 points, just one behind South Africa, who defeated Rwanda 3–0 in Mbombela to secure top spot in Group C and an automatic ticket to the 2026 World Cup. Nigeria now sit second, ahead of Benin Republic on goal difference.

Under the new CAF qualifying format, only the group winners qualify directly, while the four best runners-up across all groups will advance to a playoff to determine Africa’s representatives in the intercontinental playoff.

Nigeria’s fate therefore depends on results from other groups, as they wait to see if their tally will be enough to earn one of those playoff slots.

The second round of the CAF qualifiers will pit the four best runners-up in two one-off semifinals, followed by a final. The winner of this second round will participate in the FIFA playoff tournament.

The interconfederation playoffs will see six sides fight it out for the final two places at the World Cup.

It will involve two teams from CONCACAF and one team each from the AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC. The tournament will take place in March 2026.