Nigeria demolished Benin Republic 4-0 in a pulsating World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium to secure a hard-fought place in the intercontinental playoffs.
The emphatic rout catapulted Nigeria into second place in Group C on goal difference, edging out a stunned Benin—who entered the day as leaders—while South Africa clinched automatic qualification with a 3-0 win over Rwanda elsewhere.
Victor Osimhen stole the show with a clinical hat-trick, silencing his critics and propelling his side to a convincing victory.
The 26-year-old opened the scoring in the third minute, racing through Benin’s defense to slot home with precision.
He doubled his tally midway through the first half with a towering header from a Samuel Chukwueze cross before completing his treble in the 51st minute.
Midfielder Frank Onyeka sealed the rout in stoppage time with a thunderous volley, capping a vintage Super Eagles performance.
The win lifted Nigeria to 17 points, securing second place behind South Africa’s 18 points and edging out the competition as one of Africa’s four best runners-up.
Benin Republic, coached by former Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr, entered the match atop the group but were outclassed, finishing third on goal difference and missing out on a historic first-ever World Cup appearance.
For head coach Éric Chelle, this was vindication after a turbulent campaign.
His side had entered the October international break under pressure, needing a miracle to salvage their qualification hopes after a winless start to the group stage.
A morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Lesotho on Friday—thanks to goals from William Troost-Ekong and Akor Adams—set the tone, but it was the demolition of Rohr’s Cheetahs that truly reignited belief.
Speaking in a post-match interview, Chelle poured out his gratitude.
“I’m so proud of my players. They deserved this win. It was not easy as a new coach with a new philosophy,” he said.
“Now we go to Morocco. This is just the beginning. It will be very, difficult, so tonight I’m just happy for my players—they played a great game today and also on Friday.”
“The players played a great game, especially the best striker in the world,” Chelle said in reference to Osimhen.
“All the players, their game, everything—for me, they are my champions.”
“I’m happy for the fans because they brought us this victory—they pushed us to take it. The players played a great game, especially the best striker in the world. For me, they are all champions.”
“Football is like that. Sometimes you make mistakes, sometimes you lose. But they love the country—Nigeria—and every time they give everything.
“I just wanted them to stay focused on their mindset and unity. Sometimes I make mistakes too, but with the captain and the players, we are a family. If we win, it’s together; if we lose, it’s together,” Chelle added.
He concluded with a nod to the road ahead: the CAF playoffs in November, where Nigeria will face one of Cameroon, Gabon, or DR Congo in a high-stakes single-elimination battle for a place in the inter-confederation playoffs.
“So once again, I’m happy for them. I’m so proud of my players, and I’m proud of my captain because he scored a great penalty. This is not finished, so thank you very much for everything. Now, we have a lot of work ahead.”
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This victory exorcised the ghosts of a group stage that saw Nigeria labor through four winless games under previous coaches before Chelle’s arrival sparked four wins in six games, including Friday’s 2-1 triumph over Lesotho.
Benin’s collapse—from topping the table to finishing third—denied them a historic debut and handed South Africa the direct ticket they craved after a 16-year World Cup drought.
The playoffs now loom as the ultimate test, with the Super Eagles aiming to return to the World Cup stage for the first time since 2018.
