Super Eagles Humiliate Benin 4–0 But Lose Automatic World Cup Ticket to South Africa
Super Eagles Humiliate Benin 4–0 But Lose Automatic World Cup Ticket to South Africa
Nigeria’s Super Eagles ended their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign on a high note with a dominant 4–0 victory over Benin Republic on Tuesday in Uyo but failed to secure automatic qualification for the global showpiece.
Despite the emphatic win, the result was not enough to earn Nigeria the top spot in Group C, as South Africa’s 3–0 triumph over Rwanda in Johannesburg ensured they finished first and claimed the group’s sole automatic ticket to the World Cup.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen was the star of the night, netting a superb hat-trick, while Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka added the fourth goal to seal a comprehensive victory for the Super Eagles.
The team finished level on 17 points with Benin but ahead on goal difference.
However, the group format allows only the first-placed team to qualify automatically, leaving Nigeria in second place and bound for the CAF play-offs in their bid to reach the 2026 World Cup jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The result adds to a growing sense of frustration among Nigerian football fans, who had expected a straightforward qualification campaign given the team’s wealth of talent.
Nigeria last missed the World Cup in 2022 after losing to Ghana on away goals, and the Super Eagles will now have to navigate the unpredictable play-offs to keep their hopes alive for the 2026 edition.
