Super Eagles Crush Benin 4–0, Secure Playoff Spot For 2026 World Cup
2 min read
By Sportsgister
Nigeria’s Super Eagles produced a commanding performance in their final Group C qualifier, thrashing the Squirrels of Benin Republic 4–0 on Tuesday to keep their 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes alive.
A sensational hat-trick from Napoli star Victor Osimhen and a strike from Frank Onyeka sealed a dominant victory for Nigeria in Cotonou. However, despite the emphatic win, it wasn’t enough to earn the Eagles automatic qualification.
Group leaders South Africa’s Bafana Bafana defeated Rwanda 3–0 in Johannesburg to maintain their lead and secure direct passage to the World Cup, leaving Nigeria to settle for a playoff berth.
The Super Eagles, finishing as one of the best runners-up across Africa’s qualifying groups, have now booked a place in the CAF playoffs set to hold in Morocco this November.
According to the qualification format, the top four runners-up on the continent will contest a mini-tournament to determine who advances to the intercontinental playoff. So far, Nigeria, Gabon, and Cameroon have confirmed their places, with one more team yet to be decided.
The FIFA intercontinental playoffs, scheduled for late 2025, will feature six teams competing for the final two slots at the 2026 World Cup. The lineup will include:
Two teams from CONCACAF,
One each from CAF, AFC, CONMEBOL, and OFC.
Under the format, the four lowest-ranked nations will contest two semi-final fixtures, with the winners advancing to meet the two highest-ranked teams in the final round. The victors of those two bracket finals will earn qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup jointly hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico.
With momentum on their side, the Super Eagles will now turn their attention to the playoffs as they seek redemption and a place among the world’s elite next summer.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
