Victor Osimhen’s brilliant hat-trick was not enough as the Super Eagles failed to secure Group C’s automatic qualification spot, losing out to South Africa despite a commanding 4–0 victory over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Nigeria finished second in the group and will now await results from other centres to determine their fate in the playoff stage.
The Eagles went into the game knowing that a win alone would not suffice unless South Africa dropped points against Rwanda in Mbombela.
Osimhen opened the scoring as early as the 3rd minute, coolly slotting home after a perfectly timed through ball from Samuel Chukwueze.
The Galatasaray forward doubled Nigeria’s advantage in the 37th minute with a precise header before completing his hat-trick in the 51st minute with a stunning flying header that left the Benin goalkeeper helpless.
Nigeria added a fourth goal late in the game through Frank Onyeka to seal an emphatic win, but it proved inconsequential as news filtered through from Mbombela that South Africa had cruised to victory.
Bafana Bafana, needing just a win to book their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, did so in style—thumping Rwanda 3–0 in front of ecstatic home fans to seal top spot in Group C.
South Africa started brightly, with midfielder Thalente Mbatha opening the scoring in the 5th minute after Rwanda’s goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari failed to clear his lines.
Oswin Appollis made it 2–0 in the 26th minute, finishing off a fine team move, before Evidence Makgopa put the result beyond doubt in the 72nd minute to confirm Bafana Bafana’s qualification.
Meanwhile, South Africa became the latest African nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after beating Rwanda 3-0 Tuesday to top its qualifying group, despite being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player in earlier games.
It will be South Africa’s first appearance at a World Cup since it qualified automatically as the host in 2010.
South Africa’s victory meant Nigeria finished second in the group and will have to qualify through a playoff.
Nigeria beat Benin 4-0 at home after a hat trick from star striker Victor Osimhen. Benin had led the group before the last round.
