Skip to main content

2026 WCQ: Super Eagles Thrash Benin 4–0, But Miss Out on Automatic Qualification to South Africa

The Super Eagles of Nigeria ended their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in style, thrashing Benin Republic 4–0 on Tuesday evening in Uyo. Despite the emphatic victory, the result wasn’t enough to secure automatic qualification, as South Africa sealed top spot in Group C with a 3–0 win over Rwanda.

Nigeria entered the final group fixture under intense pressure, knowing only a convincing win coupled with a favorable result elsewhere could keep their World Cup hopes alive. The team responded perfectly on the pitch, delivering one of their most complete performances of the campaign.

The Eagles wasted no time asserting dominance, with Victor Osimhen opening the scoring inside the first three minutes. The Napoli forward, who has been Nigeria’s talisman throughout the qualifiers, doubled the advantage with a powerful header just before the break, giving the home fans plenty to cheer about.

After halftime, Osimhen completed his hat-trick his second in national colors showcasing the clinical finishing that has made him one of Africa’s top strikers. Midfielder Frank Onyeka later put the icing on the cake with a thunderous volley, sealing an emphatic 4–0 victory over former Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr’s side.

The comprehensive win lifted Nigeria to second place in Group C, behind South Africa, who secured automatic qualification after comfortably dispatching Rwanda 3–0 in Johannesburg.

Despite the strong finish, the Super Eagles’ fate now rests on other results across the continent. They must wait to see if they will claim one of the four best runners-up spots that still offer a route to the 2026 World Cup.

The win also marked a measure of redemption for the Nigerian side, who had faced criticism earlier in the campaign for inconsistent performances and dropped points against smaller teams. Manager Eric Chelle praised his players’ attitude but admitted frustration at falling short of direct qualification.

“We showed what we’re capable of tonight,” Chelle said after the match. “It’s unfortunate we didn’t control our destiny earlier in the campaign, but we’ll keep fighting until the very end.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature an expanded format with 48 teams offering Africa nine automatic slots plus an additional playoff opportunity.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ugandan Diplomat Speaks Out After DNA Test Reveals Shocking Family Truth

Chris Rugari, a Ugandan diplomat and Zimbabwe's Consular General to Uganda, has broken his silence after a DNA test revealed that two of his three eldest children are not biologically his. Rugari, who married Joline Kanoheri in 2008, had believed he had a happy and faithful marriage. However, the discovery in September 2023 changed everything. 2008 : Chris Rugari and Joline Kanoheri got married. 2010 : Their first child was born, followed by two more in 2013 and 2015. 2022 and 2024 : Two more children were born, with the last one's birth certificate not signed by Rugari due to emerging paternity issues. Rugari described his relationship with Kanoheri as wonderful and conflict-free, with him actively involved in the children's lives. He signed their birth certificates, took them for immunization, bathed them, cooked for them, and financially supported their education. However, the DNA test results revealed a shocking truth about the first three children. Tragedy struck when...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lagos Woman Missing After Message About Wrong Car

A Nigerian man, Mayor Johnson, has raised an alarm about the disappearance of his sister, Esther, in Lagos State. Esther was supposed to travel from Ajah to Epe to stay with a family friend in preparation for her JAMB exam. According to Johnson, Esther sent a disturbing message to her other sister, stating that she was "scared, feeling sleepy, her eyes itchy, and might have boarded the wrong car." The message was sent on Thursday, April 24, 2025, around 1 pm, and since then, there has been no contact from her.  Johnson is frantically searching for his sister, who was supposed to arrive at her destination to prepare for her JAMB exam scheduled for Friday. The family is worried about Esther's safety, and Johnson is appealing for help to locate her. 
1 comment
Read more

Mother Disowns 16-Year-Old Daughter Over Leaked Intimate Videos

A mother of four, Mrs. Chinasa, has disowned her 16-year-old daughter, Mmesoma, for leaking her intimate videos with a lover to her husband. The videos were allegedly sent to Chinasa's ex-husband, who then shared them with her friends and acquaintances, causing Chinasa immense shame and ridicule. According to sources, Chinasa had created the intimate videos with her lover to keep their emotions aflame during his absence. However, her children had access to her phone, and Mmesoma stumbled upon the videos and forwarded them to her father. The ex-husband then used the videos to ridicule and humiliate Chinasa. Chinasa has vowed to never acknowledge Mmesoma as her daughter again, citing the betrayal of trust and the shame brought upon her as a mother. "I regret ever having Mmesoma as my daughter. She has brought shame to me, and I will no longer acknowledge her as my own," Chinasa said. She fears that Mmesoma's actions may have long-term consequences and that her own grand...
Post a Comment
Read more