Andrew Olsson
October 14, 2025World Cup (Q): Nigeria advance to playoff with victory over Benin
Photo: Nigeria Football Federation
World Cup (Q): Nigeria advance to playoff with victory over Benin
Nigeria remained in the hunt for qualification to the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday with a home victory over Benin in Uyo to finish up play in Group C from the CAF region.
— topysceltics (@topysceltics) October 14, 2025
Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen rose to the occasion with a crucial hat-trick to lead the Super Eagles to the Second Round of qualifying from the CAF region. They will participate in the four-team playoff next month, where the winner advances to the intercontinental playoff consisting of six nations.
South Africa claimed top spot in Group C with a home victory over Rwanda but Nigeria’s lopsided victory moved the Super Eagles up to a top-4 position in the table for group runners-up.
Osimhen’s early strike set the tone and created the momentum needed for the Super Eagles. Visitors Benin reacted well and created a couple of good opportunities but Osimhen doubled the advantage in the 37th minute with a towering header from Samuel Chukwueze’s cross.
— topysceltics (@topysceltics) October 14, 2025
When Osimhen completed his hat-trick early in the second half, the Super Eagles had the goals they needed to advance to the playoff having needed a victory by at least three goals to move ahead of Burkina Faso on the group runner-up table.
— topysceltics (@topysceltics) October 14, 2025
The victory for the hosts comes at a cost for Benin, who were eliminated from contention to qualify with the defeat. In a tight group, the Cheetahs finish third and behind Nigeria on goal difference.
2026 World Cup Qualifying: Final Group C Table
- South Africa- 18 points (qualified)
- Nigeria- 17 points (GD: +6) [advances to regional playoff]
- Benin- 17 points (GD: +2)
- Lesotho- 12 points
- Rwanda- 11 points
- Zimbabwe- 5 points
Table of group runners-up (Top 4 advance to playoff)
- Gabon- 16 points (1 match in hand)
- Cameroon- 15 points (GD: +9)
- Nigeria- 15 points (GD: +7)
- Burkina Faso- 15 points (GD: +6)
- Niger- 15 points (GD: +1) [eliminated]
- DR Congo- 13 points (GD: +4) [1 match in hand]
- Madagascar- 12 points (eliminated)
- Uganda- 12 points (eliminated)
- Namibia- 9 points (eliminated)