Osimhen Fires Hat-Trick as Super Eagles Crush Benin 4–0 to Reach 2026 World Cup Playoffs

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria delivered a commanding performance on Tuesday night, defeating the Benin Republic 4–0 in Uyo to secure their spot in the African playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Star striker Victor Osimhen was the hero of the evening, netting a spectacular hat-trick that propelled him to second place on Nigeria’s all-time top scorers’ chart.

The Napoli forward now has 29 goals in 43 appearances, just eight shy of the late Rashidi Yekini’s long-standing record of 37 goals in 62 matches, set over two decades ago.

Osimhen opened the scoring just three minutes into the game after a clever through pass from Samuel Chukwueze. He added a second in the 37th minute with a trademark header and completed his hat-trick early in the second half, finishing off a Moses Simon free-kick.

Substitute Frank Onyeka sealed the emphatic win with a close-range finish in stoppage time, sending fans at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium into jubilation.

The victory confirmed Nigeria’s place in the World Cup playoff stage and reignited confidence among supporters after a string of mixed results earlier in the qualifiers.

Osimhen’s latest feat has strengthened his bid to become Nigeria’s all-time leading goalscorer, with analysts predicting he could surpass Yekini’s record before the next continental tournament.

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Nigeria’s All-Time Top 10 Goalscorers (as of October 2025)

1. Rashidi Yekini — 37 goals (62 games)

2. Victor Osimhen — 29 goals (43 games)

3. Segun Odegbami — 23 goals (46 games)

4. Yakubu Aiyegbeni — 21 goals (57 games)

5. Ikechukwu Uche — 19 goals (46 games)

6. Obafemi Martins — 18 goals (48 games)

7. Sunday Oyarekhua — 17 goals (28 games)

8. Samson Siasia — 16 goals (51 games)

9. Odion Ighalo — 16 goals (37 games)

10. Ahmed Musa — 16 goals (109 games)